close family – Page 11 – Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

Cats, Carats and Killers review

March 17, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the Urban Tails Pet Shop Mysteries by T.C. LoTempio (known for her fun cat-themed cozies), and I’ve enjoyed this series since it started. I’m always happy to see the latest installment and hope there’ll be many more.

#NetGalley #BeyondthePage #TCLoTempio

My Goodreads review:

Cats, Carats and Killers by T.C. LoTempio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

These cats just continue to be awesome little helpers (although sometimes mischievous) when Shell’s working on a case she’s been warned off time and again, lol. A cold case tied in with the new murder and Shell found herself diving right into it. She and Gary did the sleuthing thing so well, probably from years of practice on their spy show, but he was never with her when the super exciting (or dangerous) stuff happened. That place was reserved for one of the cats (Purrday’s my fave though!).

That was some showdown! And a really good twist too although I was really happy with whodunit. I get the feeling that Shell’s mom’s idea for the next fundraiser might just be the subject of the next book. I hope so!

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

View all my reviews

A Midnight Puzzle review

March 15, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Secret Staircase Mysteries by Gigi Pandian. I’ve enjoyed this series since its beginning and hope it continues! It’s always so fun to imagine the staircase creations Tempest and her dad’s company come up with. Although I’d much rather explore said staircase creations in broad daylight!

#NetGalley #MinotaurBooks #GigiPandian

My Goodreads review:

A Midnight Puzzle by Gigi Pandian
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There was so much that happened in this book and lots of action that kept me turning the Kindle pages and reading like crazy. What a wild series of twists at the end! That showdown was frenzied and while it had a sad ending to it, the mystery still ended well with a satisfying catching of the perp.

At the very end, is Tempest being asked to solve yet another mystery? I guess we’ll find out in the next book! She’s definitely good at it and it was great to see Blackburn in the picture as a PI now. Don’t miss this book’s release on March 19.

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

View all my reviews

Ill-Fated Fortune review

February 24, 2024February 24, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the first in a brand new series, Magical Fortune Cookie Mysteries by new-to-me author Jennifer J. Chow. From what I’ve read, I really enjoyed the key characters a lot, and I’m ready for more adventures. Kelvin should get a best friend award or something, he’s just an amazing friend to Felicity.

#NetGalley #StMartinsPaperbacks #JenniferJChow

My Goodreads review:

Ill-Fated Fortune: A Magical Fortune Cookie Novel by Jennifer J. Chow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed meeting Felicity, her mom and Kelvin and loved the close relationship she had with her mom. Their type of magic added happiness to their baked goods was pretty cool and even though Kelvin wasn’t magical, he was in on the secret. He was such an awesome friend to Felicity and a great sleuthing buddy.

Eventually I started suspecting someone in the murder and was right about it. That was a really unique method for offing the guy though. The showdown was exciting and Felicity was definitely holding her own and using her brains to get out in one piece. Everything turned out pretty nicely for Felicity and her mom’s bakery. I’m eager to see what adventure they get into next.

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

View all my reviews

Five Furry Familiar review

February 21, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in the Kitchen Witch Mysteries by a fave cozy mystery author, Lynn Cahoon. I’ve enjoyed Mia Malone’s adventures since the prequel that started this series. I’d definitely recommend reading this series in order not due to spoilers but just to get the complete enjoyment from seeing Mia and Trent’s relationship grow as well as her interactions with other people in her life and how they started.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #LynnCahoon

My Goodreads review:

Five Furry Familiars by Lynn Cahoon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was another awesome adventure with Mia and her crew that’d really test Christina and Levi’s relationship as well as bring a new little life into the world. The houseful of cats along with a puppy someone gave Trent was pretty funny. Poor Mr. Darcy was probably not sure what to think about the invasion lol.

I knew who I wanted to be guilty but eventually I started putting some clues together and figured out one aspect of it. I liked the nice, offscreen arrest so at least there wasn’t a tense showdown although at a couple places I couldn’t read quick enough to make sure someone wasn’t in danger. Can’t wait for the next book!

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

View all my reviews

A Suspicious Breed review

February 19, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the sixth book in the Low Country Dog Walker Mysteries by Jackie Layton, and I’ve absolutely loved each book in this series. Books could work as standalones, but it’s more fun to start at the beginning and watch the various relationships and families grow. Hoping there’ll be more to come!

#NetGalley #BeyondthePage #JackieLayton

My Goodreads review:

A Suspicious Breed by Jackie Layton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve absolutely loved this entire series and hope there’ll be more adventures for Andi, Marc and all their friends and extended family. Ike was such an awesome addition back when he was added, and he got to do a little sleuthing this time. Some new family members and friends joined the flock this time and it was super su-weet, as Marc would say.

Andi had her plate full before she and her bestie had their double wedding to the loves of their lives. I was especially eager to see the rotten perp or perps brought to justice after the murder and a scheme cheating money from donors that helped dogs in need. Some awesome sleuthing followed by a quick but tense showdown, then life was back to the two weddings.

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

View all my reviews

A Smoking Bun review

February 17, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the eighteenth book in the long-running Bakeshop Mysteries by Ellie Alexander who’s no stranger to the Ashland area which is why it’s described so well and vividly in her books. Jules and her friends/family are gonna steal your heart no matter where you start in the series. I always recommend the beginning, but I’ve broken that little guideline by not being able to resist these when they come up on NetGalley, so yeah, I’ve got a little catching up to do but it’s all good!

#NetGalley #StMartinsPaperbacks #EllieAlexander

My Goodreads review:

A Smoking Bun by Ellie Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a wild case and I always love it when Jules and Lance go sleuthing together. If anything, he’s probably the best dressed sleuth around, lol. He’s not all show and stage though since sometimes he did have some valuable intel to share or ideas to sleuth out.

I wasn’t ever really sure until the actual reveal of whodunit and there were some great scenes working up to that. I loved the final scene with everyone who loved the ski lodge gathered together for food and fellowship. It’ll be interesting to see what happens next in Ashland!

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

View all my reviews

A Catered Quilting Bee review

February 16, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the eighteenth book in the long-running Mysteries with Recipes series by Isis Crawford , a pen name used by Barbara Block. The sisters Bernie and Libby Simmons never fail to make me laugh whenever I read one of these books. And their retired police chief dad, Sean keeps those two in line with his dad/police advice. His friend Clyde is gonna really be ready to retire once his time comes, especially with what the sisters are always asking him to do or ignore in most cases, lol.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #IsisCrawford

My Goodreads review:

A Catered Quilting Bee by Isis Crawford
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a really wild mystery with several layers going for it and a decent amount of suspects. Our fave catering duo attacked this case with their usual flair and comedic lines throughout. Sean’s detective friend Clyde must have the patience of a saint for the stuff he always let the girls slip by, lol. All in good fictional fun though!

That was some showdown and impressive escape by the sisters who added a little information to Clyde’s explanation of everything at the end. And what case is complete without a toast, right? Till next time, Simmons sisters!

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

View all my reviews

Double Grudge Donuts review

February 13, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the eighth book in the Deputy Donut Mysteries by Ginger Bolton, and I’ve enjoyed this series from the very beginning. I was thrilled at the events happening in this book, but first a murderer had to be put away before Emily and Brent’s wedding. I loved that Jocelyn, donut shop assistant extraordinaire got to have a big part in the showdown. Can’t wait for the next book!

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #GingerBolton

My Goodreads review:

Double Grudge Donuts by Ginger Bolton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’m not gonna lie. I waited eight books for the last few moments in this book and I couldn’t’ve imagined it any better! Meanwhile the mystery itself was awesome and had a really exciting confrontation with a killer. I wasn’t even sure whodunit during the showdown until a certain clue came out. Jocelyn really got her moment to shine in the showdown and I’m sure Emily couldn’t be prouder of her well now that she’s safe and everything!

Little Dep was just as adorable as ever and living up to her mystery sniffing reputation. I’m sure she’s gonna be thrilled that the current second favorite person in her life would be joining her and Emily in their home soon. Can’t wait for the next book!

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

View all my reviews

The Last Word review

February 12, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the first book in a brand new series called Deadly Deadlines Mysteries by Gerri Lewis. Unfortunately, there’s no series page for it on GR yet, but maybe when a second book comes, hopefully one of the librarians might make one.

From what I saw on her website, I’m guessing the author’s new to writing cozies, but she’s definitely got the idea of one right. If you check out Gerri Lewis’s website about page, you’ll see a fun little obit she wrote about herself which told me a lot about her writing career. I knew she was definitely not a newbie writer. I really enjoyed this and look forward to another book! I loved the chemistry among all the key players and the characterization was super well done. Diva the puppy was absolutely adorable and Max the shepherd was pretty awesome as well.

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #GerriLewis

My Goodreads review:

The Last Word by Gerri Lewis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow what a multi-layer mystery and so many suspenseful parts I couldn’t read fast enough! I had someone pegged from almost the start as either a killer or just up to no good and I was right about them, but with other layers of the mystery, another thing completely surprised me.

That sweet little dog Diva seemed to have broken through even a non-dog person’s heart and even another dog that was eventually needing a home turned out to be an awesome pup. I really loved Uncle Richard’s and Scoop’s characters a lot! Richard was so giving and wanted to take care of everyone with comforting food, and Scoop was just an awesome friend. I can’t wait to see if he and a certain girl stay together just like I’m eager for Kip and Winter to be together.

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

View all my reviews

A Killer Romance review

February 4, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the third and what sounds like last book in the Beach Reads Mysteries by Maggie Blackburn, a pen name of Mollie Cox Bryan who wrote the Cora Crafts Mysteries as well as Cumberland Creek Mysteries and the Buttermilk Creek Mysteries. I was sorry to see that this book appears to be the last one in this series, but the epilogue was amazing and the author definitely wrapped it up in a super nice bow.

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #Maggie Blackburn

My Goodreads review:

A Killer Romance by Maggie Blackburn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It’s been a long almost-three years since the second book was published, so it was good to return to Summer and all her friends and family on the island. I always loved Mia as a character and she didn’t disappoint at all and neither did Glads. Summer’s got an awesome family, but she also has friends that’re like family.
Wow this was one tangled case and admittedly at times I thought it went a bit slow, but when something happened, at least they got on with it pretty quickly. There were lots of secrets and I was never sure who to trust except the main players. The whodunit was a big surprise.

Since there was an epilogue with a very sweet ending taking place a year later, I’m assuming this series isn’t continuing, but I’m really satisfied with how the author perfectly wrapped it up.

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

View all my reviews