Tag: close family

Murder in the Upper Crust review

Tari Hann

This is the sixth book in the Deep Dish Mysteries by Mindy Quigley, and I’ve enjoyed it since the beginning. I always love how Delilah’s team works together at the restaurant and always have her back during an investigation. I really liked the new police chief’s character too. She’s nice but tough if needed and I’m eager to read more in this series.

#NetGalley #MinotaurBooks #MindyQuigley

My Goodreads review:

Murder in the Upper Crust (Deep Dish Mysteries, #6)Murder in the Upper Crust by Mindy Quigley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Delilah found herself doing a last minute catering job for a wellness guru’s retreat. When she and Capone attended the meditation part, one of the attendees was found dead in her little tent. Both Delilah and Capone knew it had to be murder.

I liked Capone’s new boss, the recently-arrived police chief who replaced the former one no one could stand. She was a strange combination of wanting to be everyone’s mom and friend, to hardcore, no-nonsense cop. I enjoyed her very down to earth way of talking to people. She was sure a foodie and loved Delilah’s place.

The showdown with the killer was tense and exciting. It was great what happened to that killer too, what an awesome group effort. The ending was filled with fun, food, fellowship and music, the perfect ending to a May evening after a busy Memorial Day weekend.

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



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Joy to the Bones review

Tari Hann

This is the 31st and final book in the nearly-30-years-running Sarah Booth Delaney mysteries by Carolyn Haines. After the last book, fans are gonna be desperate for answers, so I can guarantee you’ll get those answers in this book, what a wild ride but so worth it. 

#NetGalley #MinotaurBooks #CarolynHaines

My Goodreads review:

 

Joy to the Bones: A Sarah Booth Delaney MysteryJoy to the Bones: A Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery by Carolyn Haines
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Knowing this was the last book pretty far in advance had kinda helped take the edge off and did help with the enjoyment a lot more too. Although everything in this book was enjoyable especially the outcome of Sarah Booth finally learning the truth about her mom and dad’s deaths.

It was definitely bittersweet especially at the end, but the perp that was taken down and what happened afterward was sweet satisfaction. And the Christmasy ending was too much fun! Definitely read the author’s note at the end and her thoughts on ending this series. It might just make your eyes leak like mine did!

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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Deck the Halls with Boughs of Murder review

Tari Hann

This is the seventh book in one of my favorite cozy mysteries that’s a Christmas series, The Christmas Tree Farm Mysteries by Jacqueline Frost, better known to cozy mystery fans as Julie Anne Lindsey. I was so glad when this book was announced so I’m definitely hoping there’ll be an eighth book in the works soon! Mistletoe, Maine’s one of my fave cozy towns to visit.

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #JacquelineFrost #JulieAnneLindsey

My Goodreads review:

 

Deck the Halls with Boughs of Murder (Christmas Tree Farm Mystery #7)Deck the Halls with Boughs of Murder by Jacqueline Frost
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Holly’s turned into the model mommy with a super sweet baby, but she was running on caffeine and promises to herself she’d eventually get some sleep. Even though she said she’d given up on sleuthing a year ago, Holly couldn’t quite resist the urge to snoop, listen and hang out with Libby, Evan’s sister who was a real PI.

When Holly found herself facing off with a killer, someone I never would’ve thought of, I had no idea how she was gonna get out from under this crazy situation. But somehow she did and lived to celebrate her most awesome Christmas yet. There were some other really cool things that happened during the book that I know readers will love!

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 of a Grill Master review

Tari Hann

This is the nineteenth book in the long-running Hayley Powell Food & Cocktails Mysteries by brother/sister team Lee Hollis aka Holly Simason and Rick Copp. This is sadly the last book in the series which I’d had no clue was ending. I don’t spend much time looking at social media anymore (why do that when you can be reading lol) so if it was announced there, I totally missed it. It’s hard to let go of these amazing characters, but I love the sendoff they got by the authors. Well done, you guys. And I love the fact that sweet little Leroy’s been in every book.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #LeeHollis

My Goodreads review:

Death of a Grill Master (Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery #19)Death of a Grill Master by Lee Hollis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It didn’t take long to figure out this was the last Hayley Powell mystery but it was wrapped up in such an awesome way. There were plenty of leaky eyes moments for sure, and I was so happy to find a few good Sergio-isms included, even a mention of one too. I’m really gonna miss these characters! And Sergio was among the most awesome fictional police chiefs I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading about. And note, this book probably requires a tissue alert in a few places, or maybe that’s just me. 😉

The mystery itself was good as always and Hayley was at her A-game sleuthing. She cracked me up how she was getting info and trying to keep it on the down low when Sgt. Earl passed her the intel, lol. There were lotsa changes going on in Hayley and her friends’ and family’s lives. But the main thing was everyone was happy and where they needed to be. I’d sure love to see a spinoff with Hayley and Bruce as PIs or something crazy like that. I’m already missing them!

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 Pumpkin Vice Café

Tari Hann

This is the 23rd installment in the long-running Bakeshop Mysteries by a fave cozy author, Ellie Alexander. It’s always a good time in Ashland with Jules and all her family and amazing friends, and this time definitely didn’t disappoint. These books are hilarious, heartwarming and just plain fun, so if you haven’t discovered the Bakeshop Mysteries why not give ’em a try soon?

#NetGalley #St. MartinPaperbacks #MinotaurBooks #EllieAlexander

My Goodreads review:

 

The Pumpkin Vice Cafe: A Bakeshop MysteryThe Pumpkin Vice Cafe: A Bakeshop Mystery by Ellie Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lance always cracks me up and he definitely didn’t disappoint in this book while he and Jules sleuthed out the murder of the woman he’d been about to sign as a replacement wedding planner.

There was no shortage of suspects and it kept me guessing but I had a sneaky feeling about one of those suspects which did turn out to be the killer. Jules nearly faced off with them but she had a little advantage to start with then made sure she got law enforcement there to help. The baby shower and ending were super sweet. I’m eager to see what adventures are ahead for Jules and her family and friends.

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







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‘Tis the Season to Be Scary review

Tari Hann

This is the ninth book in Year-Round Christmas Mysteries, another Vicki Delany series I absolutely love. And Halloween’s pretty cool in what’s normally a Christmas town. I loved the spooky elements, they were just perfect. 

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #VickiDelany

My Goodreads review:

 

 

'Tis the Season to Be Scary (A Year-Round Christmas Mystery #9)‘Tis the Season to Be Scary by Vicki Delany
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

At a Halloween gala fundraiser for the hospital, a woman was murdered but police had trouble finding a reason for her murder or worse yet, anyone who wanted her dead. The only one known to’ve had any disagreement with her was Vicky, and Merry knew it wasn’t that. Det. Diane was a fair woman though and she immediately knew Vicky couldn’t’ve done it.

Merry had a close call with Vicky’s mom and figured someone didn’t want her on this case. Once she figured everything out and found herself facing an armed killer, Merry was worried this was really the end. It was cool how help came from a seriously unexpected source. The ending chapter was food, fun and friendship with a good wrap-up for everything. What a great Halloween mystery! Side note: I’m not a fan of this cover at all. The previous ones were so well done, and this just makes it look like it doesn’t even belong to the series. I had to do a double take when I located it on NetGalley. If the previous artist wasn’t available, it would’ve been nice to least have this in their amazing style.

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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Casting Call 4 Murder-review

Tari Hann

This is the sixteenth book in the long-running Sophie Kimball Mysteries by J.C. Eaton. There’re still a few books in the middle of the series I haven’t read yet, shame on me right? I started getting the ARCs which is how I kinda got behind, oops. But I’ve loved every one of these books I’ve read and especially enjoy the adorable book covers featuring Streetman, Phee’s mom’s cute little troublemaker. He was in rare form in this book as you’ll see when you read it!

Note: The Goodreads author listing is wrong so I’ve included the real link for J.C. Eaton’s author page where you can see Ann Goldfarb with her beloved late husband Jim Clapp who both wrote this series. The page shown with this particular book doesn’t even have all the JC Eaton series listed, so make sure you use the link I’ve got above for the series. Also Goodreads doesn’t show all the books on the series page so I included the link for the Amazon page which does show all 16 books. (Not an affiliate link).

Apparently Jim left enough notes for a few more books after he’d passed, according to what I read in the Facebook group where Ann posts. That was one of the saddest author passings for the cozy mystery world that year.

#NetGalley #BeyondthePageBooks #JCEaton

My Goodreads review:

Casting Call 4 MurderCasting Call 4 Murder by J. C. Eaton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Isn’t that the most adorable book cover with little Streetman holding that fish? There’s a hilarious story behind it too you’ll learn when you read this book. Phee was doing her usual herding of cats, er book club ladies when Harriet and the gang were gifted with a murder mystery weekend. The funniest part was that Harriet, Myrna and Ina were gonna be extras and got to improv their roles—oh boy did they! 🤣

More hilarity happened when Streetman who was being dog-sat by Paul went on an outing with him. Nope I won’t spoil it but it was super funny. Phee of course figured out the killer and faced off with them but held her own until the cavalry arrived. What a fun 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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Death on the Books review

Tari Hann

This is the tenth and final installment in the Blue Ridge Library Mysteries by Victoria Gilbert which I’ve enjoyed since that very first book. Even though I knew it was the last book, it still didn’t make it any easier to have to say goodbye to Amy and her family/friends. Although because of the author’s newest series, Campus Sleuth, it won’t be a total goodbye since it’s set at Clarion College where Richard Muir teaches.

Death on the Books (Blue Ridge Library Mysteries #10)Death on the Books by Victoria Gilbert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I knew this was planned to be the final book, but it was bittersweet saying goodbye to these amazing characters I’d come to think of as old friends whenever a new book came out. I’ll definitely miss that wolfish smile of Kurt’s and the banter between him and Amy. He’s come a long way from the first book, in a really good way too.

I loved the final adventure Amy and Kurt had together—he did a really fabulous job of ridding his house of some perps. Everyone had a nice party at the end which this group always loved to do anyway. I know the author’s newest series is in roughly the same setting with Clarion College so I know we’ll run into our old friends there from time to time.

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 at First Slice review

Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in the Baker Street Mysteries by Valerie Burns, and it quickly became a favorite series right up there with her Mystery Bookshop series written as V.M. Burns. I love both these series and others she’s written because the characters are just so much fun with tons of humor and good times going on along with the murder, of course. English Mastiff Baby steals the show in the Baker Street Mysteries, he’s such a sweetie! 

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #ValerieBurns

My Goodreads review:

Murder at First Slice (Baker Street Mystery #5)Murder at First Slice by Valerie Burns
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Poor Maddy was having the worst luck of anyone all through the wedding planning and even now as close as they were to the wedding, bad and weird stuff just kept happening. The worst thing was someone was trying to make it look like Michael’s grandma Miss Hannah killed her obnoxious relative. Maddy wasn’t resting until she found the real killer, so with her trusty sidekick Baby, all 250 drooling pounds of him, they nailed another killer. What a cool happily ever after though!

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


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Bubble, Bubble Tea and Trouble review

Tari Hann

This is the seventh book in the Tea by the Sea Mysteries by Vicki Delany, and it’s been a really fun series I’ve enjoyed since its beginning. Bernie always cracks me up with all her different methods of procrastinating, yet she manages to sleuth and find clues. This time was no exception. 🙂

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #VickiDelany

My Goodreads review:

Bubble, Bubble, Tea and Trouble (Tea by the Sea Mysteries)Bubble, Bubble, Tea and Trouble by Vicki Delany
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lily’s pal Bernie doing her edits on her manuscript was cracking me up because she seemed to be doing what everyone does when a not-so-fun job is facing you: she does everything except what she’s supposed to be doing, lol. Bernie gets squirreled away easily enough as it is! And Lily always manages to get dragged into the investigation when all she wants to do is cook and bake for her grandma’s B&B and the tearoom.

When a group of ghost-loving women showed up as guests and their leader seemed to’ve ghosted them (pun totally intended), one of the women took over as leader until the tour leader showed up eventually. Things went sideways from there on out, speculations were made about an accident that seemed like a murder, and Bernie actually did come up with some good info. That led to a pretty exciting showdown where the perp actually needed rescuing, imagine that! Only in North Augusta!

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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