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Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant

July 31, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the Beacon Bakeshop Mysteries by Darci Hannah, and I’ve enjoyed this series from its beginning. The location’s amazing and I really like the main characters and how they sleuth together. The next book’s coming out in January, so here’s a peek at the cover and description from Amazon (I’m not an affiliate so go ahead and use the link to pre-order if you want.)

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My Goodreads review:

Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant by Darci Hannah
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’m liking this series more and more as I read it and the characters/relationships all grow and develop. That Teddy that Lindsey hired as her baking assistant’s such a hoot, and I just love his character! He’s what the shop needed, and I’m sure he and Lindsey’s dad had fun baking together and sharing dad jokes, lol.

It appeared the good Captain Riggs wasn’t too crazy about having his lightroom overrun with ghost hunters, but he still helped out in the end. I’ve always enjoyed this little touch of ghostiness, just enough for a cozy creep factor but nothing ever scary! Capt. Willy does seem like a protector ghost. While I hadn’t guessed the perp, it didn’t come as a huge surprise since that person was one of the perps on my list.

The showdown was tense and a little long but that made it super exciting–I couldn’t read fast enough to see how Lindsey and Kennedy were gonna get themselves out from this situation alive! Thanks to them, some others were also gonna live who might not have made it. There was some bittersweet news at the end, but I’m sure by the next book, it’ll be back to normal. Can’t really say anything without spoiling it.

My fave type ending always happens in this series with food, family and fellowship. Ellie and Lindsey definitely know how to throw parties! All that food sounded amazing especially anything pumpkin. Can’t wait to read the next book that comes out early 2024!

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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Murder in the Book Lover’s Loft review

July 27, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the ninth book in the Book Retreat Mysteries by Ellery Adams who cozy mystery fans know has a whole arsenal of series under her belt. This book was particularly fun because she brought in Olivia, her main character (who’s already visited Storyton but mostly in cameo appearances) from the Books by the Bay series, and Olivia wasn’t just a walk-on or cameo this time. Jane was actually on Olivia’s home ground. Wait’ll you read the scenes during Pink-o-Ween during Edwin and Jane’s vacation to Oyster Bay!

I hope there’ll be many more books even though at times this reads like it could be the last. I could get used to Olivia living in Storyton actually…think of the mysteries she and Jane could solve together! And the book signings Eloise could have for her!

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My Goodreads review:

Murder in the Book Lover’s Loft by Ellery Adams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh my goodness, so many emotions all wrapped up in this book, which was to me the absolute best of them all. I’m not sure if the series is ending, but it easily could with this book, although I’ve not heard anything official. Everything awesome that readers have wanted came to happen. It was kinda cool how it started off in North Carolina with Olivia Limoges and giving a nod to that ended series, so if this series is really ending, it was pretty fitting that Olivia had a nice part in it. Although I think it’d be really awesome if Olivia and Captain Haviland stayed in Storyton and started a whole new chapter of mystery solving along with Jane and the Fins. And I’d love to know if Merry and Pippin ever benefit from having a well-trained standard poodle as their leader for a while!

There were some super funny moments in North Carolina when Butterworth showed up feeling like he was needed after everything that’d gone down. That Pink-o-Ween sounded so cool and his part in it was priceless! Uncle Aloysius was getting help with his dementia we learned about previously, and that little stinker had a pretty awesome scene in the book himself! A tissue alert for happy tears is recommended toward the end, and while I really hope there’ll be more books in the series, I’m happy with how this book ended.

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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Mischief Nights are Murder review

July 21, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the eighth book in the fun and hilarious Poppy McAllister Mysteries by talented cozy author Libby Klein. If you read Libby’s bio on GR, you’ll see she suffers from the same gluten issues as her main character, Poppy, so you know these recipes are gonna be authentic and actually delish. This book itself was probably the funniest book to me so far. Halloween brings sooo many great hilarity opps and I believe most of those were probably used in one way or another, lol. Join Poppy and her pals by picking up this latest and festive Halloween installment when it releases next week!

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My Goodreads review:

Mischief Nights are Murder by Libby Klein
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just when I didn’t think this series could get any funnier it proved me wrong…again. I snickered in tons of places, but actually laughed out loud a lot too. I mean, who else but Poppy could get herself involved in a showdown that’s actually funny, right? A well-placed clue somewhere around maybe halfway or before made me start suspecting someone and I ended up being right.

From the Biddies’ and Ginny’s crazy shenanigans to little ‘jobs’ Amber got Poppy involved in so she could spy for her on the various ghost tours, it was at least a laugh a page or two in some places. The description of what was going on along with the funny dialogue always are my fave things to read. That scene with Gia’s momma was priceless! I could pick out so many more but why not just read it and laugh for yourself! It’s available soon, Tuesday July 25, 2023. Oh and don’t forget to read the epilogue ’cause it’s gonna have you going “I neeeeeed the next book!” And the recipes sound pretty delish as well.

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 Fatal Groove review

July 17, 2023July 17, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the fun newer series, Record Shop Mysteries by Olivia Blacke. I enjoyed the first one a lot and this one didn’t disappoint either. The characters are quirky, crazy (the fun kind) and I love that even though Juni and her sisters could fight like cats and dogs, at the end of the day, they’re each other’s best friends. Don’t miss this installment when it releases July 25, 2023.

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My Goodreads review:

A Fatal Groove by Olivia Blacke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Juni continued to crack me up as I thought about her compared to other main characters around her age. But Juni wasn’t really annoying because her personality was so over the top fun. She even makes a usually loathsome love triangle not such a big deal. Not saying I changed how I don’t like love triangles and the fact I’m still Team Beau lol. Teddy’s adorable but he seems more like a brother type friend. These sisters are all so different but when push came to shove, they had each other. Even though Juni’s definitely young enough to be my daughter, she’s the one I’d choose of the sisters as the most fun to hang out with.

I had someone in mind for the whodunit but was completely wrong about it. I loved how Juni just blurted out what she was thinking about whodunit, and since there were tons of people around, there wasn’t any danger from the killer. I loved how her mom stood up for her too. Bea’s always hit me as either complaining about Juni not doing something or having a guy yet, so I was happy to see she can be a momma bear when she wants.

Even the bank robbery mystery got some closure after the killer was caught and waiting for trial. I thought it was pretty cool that the bank robbery date mentioned just happened to be the exact day my parents got married, except not in Texas. I noticed the next book’s coming out in March and I know I’ll be reading it too. This book releases next Tuesday, July 25, 2023.

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

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Take the Honey and Run review

July 16, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the first book in the new Bee Keeping Mysteries by Jennie Marts and I had such a good time laughing at the various antics. And sheriff cutie Sawyer who I think Bailey’s still crushing on ever since high school was incredibly patient with Bailey and Evie when they sleuthed and got in his way.

Unrealistic? Sure it is, this is fiction, lol. And it makes for so much better reading than having the sleuth and sheriff always at each other’s throats at least. I’d much rather have these guys getting along than Sawyer threatening to toss the girls in jail every other page. I think he secretly liked them helping but officially couldn’t say so, haha! Evie got the clearance from her grandma to sleuth and be away from their shop because I know Rosa was just as curious as the girls were (if not more) to find out what was going on with the various suspects. I honestly didn’t see the whodunit coming (until it was obvious) and was surprised at who it was. This releases this coming Tuesday, July 18, 2023.

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My Goodreads review:

Take the Honey and Run by Jennie Marts
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh my gosh, this was just so good and so funny in places. I was giggling while picturing Evie and Bailey out on their sleuthing missions, especially the one Sawyer referred to as a Lucy and Ethel scheme. And yep, they were basically a modern-day Lucy and Ethel but either one would probably take a bullet for the other. You couldn’t ask for better friends!

Granny and the Hive book club ladies cracked me up! She and her sisters were something else and it was pretty funny to see them gross out Evie and Bailey when they told about their romance lives.

I never knew whodunit until the reveal. The showdown was the quiet and non-dangerous type which after what Bailey had been through, she needed non-dangerous. Lots of secrets were held by tons of people so I wonder if we’ll ever hear anything more in a future book…like maybe who Daisy’s father was? Lots and lots of recipes at the end that didn’t look terribly complicated. Granny’s cakes sounded amazing.

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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Fatal Fudge Swirl review

June 25, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Ice Cream Shop Mysteries by Meri Allen who most cozy mystery readers also know is Shari Randall who wrote the Lobster Shack Mysteries. I really love the key characters in this series. The sisters who work at the ice cream shop, Flo and Gerri, always crack me up with how different they are from each other. Riley’s got some good people working with her and bestie Caroline comes home for the weekends from Boston. Penniman sounds like a fun place and if you get the author’s newsletter you get little tidbits about what she’s writing and areas in Connecticut she’s based it on.

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My Goodreads review:

Fatal Fudge Swirl by Meri Allen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Who wouldn’t love to visit Penniman at Halloween? It sounded pretty awesome with all the decorations and cool pumpkin carvings. Riley had her hands full with having to wrangle Sprinkles, the very-much-not-an-angel cat onto a film set because she was wanted for filming. Too hilarious how the cat from you know where took a liking to the lead actor but sure didn’t like the main actress, lol. And she had to keep up that America’s sweetheart image too, now that was pretty funny! Good ole Sprinkles can always produce a laugh from somewhere! But she couldn’t prevent murder.

The ending had a search going on for a young girl who might’ve witnessed the murder or heard something, so luckily she was found and the perp was named. Lots of family and friends time was enjoyed in the book as well. I thought Riley’s dad and stepmom were just too cute how they ran that bookstore together and now were part of the movie being made. Nice nod to one of everyone’s favorite cute romance/mystery channels too! The book releases on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 and I hope you’ll find like I did it’s nice little escape.

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

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A Murder of Aspic Proportions review

June 23, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Sunflower Café Mysteries by Amy Lillard who also wrote the fairly recent cozy mystery Main Street Book Club Mysteries. These are the only two series of hers that I’m familiar with, but I’m interested in reading her Amish Mysteries as well. I’d really enjoyed the book club series and its characters, and I’m finding this series lotsa fun too as I’m getting more familiar with the various characters. Sissy’s little dog Rocky cracks me up! He’s tiny (Bethel also cracks me up calling him a rat dog but I can tell she means it fondly) but like all small dogs, he seems to believe he’s a giant and needs to live up to his name lol.

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My Goodreads review:

A Murder of Aspic Proportions by Amy Lillard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sissy had a super unlikely sleuthing buddy in this case where her Amish cousin had confessed to a murder everyone knew she didn’t commit. She and Aunt Bethel set out to find the real killer knowing there’s no way Emma did this. Bethel surprised me by initiating trips to either visit Emma in jail or talking to possible suspects. And that little stinker Bethel’s secretly a fan of Agent Gibbs, who knew? I’m betting there’s lots of secrets we don’t know about this mysterious little woman who I’m pretty sure Sissy wishes was a teeny bit more loving.

The showdown was almost funny in parts, you’ll see when you read it. Sissy had a side story going on concerning a new hot guy in town, but I’m pretty sure nothing’s gonna come of that. She’s not even sure if she thinks of Gavin in that way. At least he’s a good friend to her which is what she needed still being fairly new to the town. I think it’s pretty cool though how Sissy found all these people she’s related to and really took to them and enjoyed their get-togethers. I’m definitely hoping another book comes out! It’s available Tuesday, June 27, 2023.

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 Knells and Wedding Bells review

June 6, 2023June 6, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the tenth book in the long-running Lighthouse Library Mysteries by Eva Gates, better known as Vicki Delany. It’s been one of my fave series ever since I read that first book and fell in love with the idea of a library being in a lighthouse which, as we know only exists in our imaginations when reading this series. It’s awfully cool to picture it though! Lucy and Connor’s long-awaited wedding happened and we join the newlyweds at the reception when the book opens. But hang on, it’s gonna be a bumpy ride. Not as far as newlywed life but yeah, just that thing Lucy’s come to know as investigating a murder but not really investigating lol. It’s available today and if you like beach reads, I think it’d be perfect!

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My Goodreads review:

Death Knells and Wedding Bells by Eva Gates
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was so happy that Lucy and Connor’s wedding went off without any issues. It was great to join the reception in progress because I always worry at cozy mystery wedding ceremonies that someone’s gonna show up from someone’s past and say something they shouldn’t lol. Instead of a mysterious past showing up for the bride and groom, the dead guy at the reception managed to get the cops unearthing several other people’s pasts. After some clues starting fitting and just from a gut feeling I had, I was pretty sure I knew who the killer was, just not why.

The showdown was nail bitingly exciting (go Charles! I love that cat!) and soon the nasty killer was away while Lucy got the fun not fun job of giving her statement. She got some nice incriminating pictures too! The ending was just sweet and very normal which these two newlyweds need a lot of now for a long time—or until the next book! 😉 This book’s available today!

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 Off the Books review

May 31, 2023May 31, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the By the Book Mysteries by cozy mystery author Tamara Berry. I’ve enjoyed this series from its beginning and am really eager for another book to come along. There’s always some comedy and funny antics going on, but Tess’s visiting mom put that way over the top. I really enjoyed her character, kinda reminded me of Castle’s mom, Martha! I wouldn’t mind if she moved closer and was able to hang out with Gertie more often. After an exciting showdown and very satisfying ending, I can only imagine what the next book might bring!

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My Goodreads review:

Murder Off the Books by Tamara Berry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another fun and wild adventure in Washington state and this time Tess had her mom to contend with along with her usual entourage. I’ve always loved Gertie’s character–she’s like fifteen going on twenty-five, lol. She might’ve had to share the comedy spotlight with her Grandma Bee this time but I’m pretty sure Gert didn’t mind. The two got along pretty well and even Tess managed to put up with her mom’s spontaneous visit, so the last thing Tess needed was for her mom to be the prime suspect in a guy’s murder. And he happened to be the much younger guy Bee was seeing along with being a probable multi-killer.

The showdown was a crazy one and Tess had help from a very unexpected person, but together they defeated Zorg, I mean the perp. 😉 I’ve always known Tess would’ve liked to date the sheriff but she wasn’t real sure how he felt. There was a cute but kinda sad side story that Victor’s sister told Tess, although everything worked out nicely and I was beyond happy with the ending! I’m excited for the next book now!

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

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Blueberry Blunder review

May 30, 2023May 30, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the eighth book in the Amish Candy Shop Mysteries by Amanda Flower, and I’ve loved every single book from the start, but this has to be my fave book yet. Everything I’ve wished for in the series is coming true finally, so if you wanna know what’s going on, you’ll just need to read the book if you haven’t already. I’d sure love to see the next book sooner than a whole year away. Who knows, maybe we’ll be surprised!

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My Goodreads review:

Blueberry Blunder by Amanda Flower
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I think this has to be my favorite book in the series! Not only is sweet little Charlotte marrying Deputy Luke, but some other things that I’ve waited for 8 books to happen finally did! And I’m so super happy about that. Jethro of course, was the star of the show as always. I love that little pig, and the incident at the petting zoo was pretty hilarious! He had no idea what he’d gotten himself into LOL!

Instead of a plateful of problems, Bailey had platters of them spinning at once not to mention her contractor getting killed and the rotten sheriff initially wanting to blame her. It was so good to see Aiden again–I think I might’ve missed his presence in the last couple books as much as Bailey did! I wondered if his PI job might be connected to the murder, so you’ll just have to find out the way I did by reading the book. I absolutely can’t wait for the next book! I hope it comes sooner than a year!

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