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A Book Club to Die For

November 1, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Beloved Bookroom Mysteries by Dorothy St. James, and I’ve loved reading this series from its very beginning. It’s horrible to even imagine a bookless library, but I what I’ve loved most was Tru and her friends’ determination to see real books survive by rescuing the discards to the basement secret library. To make matters even worse, this time the story featured a LIFU (librarian of the future, um no thank you!) robot unit that didn’t do much to prove its worth.

I’m definitely hoping for more books in this series because I’d love to see Jace and Tru get their happily ever after! And I’ll always hope the real books can come back to the library and live in peace along with the awesome technology (which hopefully wouldn’t include LIFU!). But for now it’s fun to see how people really love using the secret bookroom.

#BerkleyPublishing #DorothyStJames

My Goodreads review:

A Book Club to Die for by Dorothy St. James
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just when you thought a bookless library couldn’t get any worse, the Cypress library was now testing a robot librarian which definitely had its glitches! I mean face it, nobody can get after you in a whisper quite like Lida Farnsworth, Tru’s boss, lol.

There were several secrets that came to light while Tru was sleuthing the latest murder that took place right in Jace’s parents’ house. Since he couldn’t be involved in this investigation, Tru was even more determined to help his mom. At the point where Tru gathered quite a few clues, I was starting to get an idea of whodunit, and I was right, but it wasn’t until later in the book.

The showdown was planned and worked out as well as they could expect. I love it when the main sleuth works with the police and keeps any possible damage to a minimum! I hope more books are planned for the series–I’d really love for the books to come back out and coexist with the technology like all the normal libraries I’ve ever seen. I think I could live without the LIFU though! 😉

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

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A Trip With Trouble review

October 23, 2022October 23, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Mountain Lodge Mysteries which started in 2021 but for some reason it just seems like it’s been longer since I read that first book. The series is by Diane Kelly, no stranger to writing cozy mysteries with memorable characters and awesome pets. I really love the three series I currently read by her and it’s always so hard to wait for the next book!

#St.Martin’sPaperbacks #DianeKelly

My Goodreads review:

A Trip with Trouble by Diane Kelly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It was fun visiting the Mountaintop Lodge again and for some reason it just seemed like forever since I’d read that first book, but the characters were so memorable there was absolutely no problem getting settled back in with Misty, Rocky and Brynn, and of course Yeti kitty and Molasses aka Mo, Rocky’s dog. I always like those short scenes from Yeti’s viewpoint since she sometimes sees stuff before the humans do or observes it differently. Too bad she can’t tell the humans, lol.

Misty hosted a lively but orderly group and I was honestly sad when one of their own was who was murdered this time. Misty and Rocky’s sleuthing together is always lots of fun, but she got with Brynn for part of it too. Was it one of the motorcycle club members who’d had too much of the lady or was a family member? Or some random stranger? Misty had all kinds of questions in her mind and worked closely with Deputy Gillespie to flush out their killer.

There were a couple side mysteries which could’ve easily been connected to the murder…were they or weren’t they? You’ll have to read for yourselves and find out in a couple days when this book releases on October 25. I can’t wait for the next one!

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

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A Doomful of Sugar review

October 21, 2022October 21, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the first book in a brand new series, Maple Syrup Mysteries by well-known cozy mystery author Catherine Bruns. One of my fave series of hers is the Cindy York Mysteries, but one thing’s for sure, she always writes about likable and fun characters you end up wanting to be friends with. Now that I’ve read this first book, I’m super eager to read the next one! This book releases next Tuesday, October 25, 2022.

#St.MartinPaperbacks #CatherineBruns

My Goodreads review:

A Doomful of Sugar by Catherine Bruns
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This author never disappoints, so I really loved this first in her new Maple Syrup series. I felt so bad for Leila coming home under the circumstances she did and could see why she was more determined than ever to find her dad’s killer. When more bodies started falling, I’m sure she wondered if she’d gotten involved a little too much, yikes! But she was hurting and ready to lash out at everyone at first as far as making them part of her suspect list. It was pretty sweet what changed her mind about one of the people on her list! 😉

There were a couple of really good twists toward the end and I hadn’t really seen either of them coming, maybe one more than another one. But Leila handled things well with a little help from a new friend. I loved how everyone gathered to celebrate Leila’s dad at the end and get all the loose ends explained from the case. There were a couple of side stories that made for great red herrings! I really can’t wait now for the next book since things progressed pretty much like I’d hoped! Don’t miss this fun new series releasing October 25.

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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Live and Let Grind review

October 12, 2022October 12, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the super fun A Coffee Lover’s Mystery series by Tara Lush. By this third book, I’m really enjoying and getting to know these characters even better and see how Lana and her friends all connect as a team and friends. I liked the addition of a new friend in this book and hope she visits again in the upcoming books. I’m eager to read the next book when it comes out, probably in about a year.

#CrookedLaneBooks #TaraLush

My Goodreads review:

Live and Let Grind by Tara Lush
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was so good in so many ways! It’s funny to the point of hilarious at some points, then it’s just sweet in other places. The mystery was a super good one and while there was someone I hoped was guilty and someone I hoped wasn’t, I’m not sure I was ever 100% sure until the showdown. Lana and Joey zooming off on a jet ski just cracked me up! These friends were unstoppable when it came to proving their buddy Erica’s innocence. If a person ever needed to be proven innocent of something, they’d definitely want a friend like Lana!

I got the biggest kick out of Lana’s hippie dad, but when he’s not off on one of his crazy missions or agendas, he’s an awesome dad and café worker. Lana’s done a lot of growing and maturing since the first book and since she’s such a workaholic, I was happy to see her finally come across something she enjoyed doing just for the fun of it as you’ll see at the end. I loved how everything was explained at the end. I never feel like there’s a loose thread in this series. It’s all always really well-explained. Can’t wait for the next book!

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

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Kill Them with Canvas review

October 11, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Paint by Murder series by Bailee Abbott, another pen name for Kathryn Long who wrote the 2-book cozy mystery Sierra Pines B&B series along with other mysteries. I haven’t read either in that series, but I’ve liked both books in this one so far and thought this second book really made a fun Halloween time read. There was even a spooky local legend, lol. I liked the direction this book ended in so I’m eager for the next in series!

#CrookedLaneBooks #BaileeAbbott

My Goodreads review:

Kill Them With Canvas by Bailee Abbott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Halloween and its ghost tales were scary enough, but the scariest thing for Chloe and Izzie was the idea of their aunt getting hauled back to jail for murder, so the girls knew they needed to sleuth this one out just like last time. I love little Max whose sniffer comes in handy sometimes for finding evidence. He ended up with a sweet little houseguest, but since said houseguest had an owner, he had to go back eventually. But sometimes with cute dogs come handsome owners…for unattached sisters, as I could tell Chloe’s brain was working toward. It did help that Izzie seemed to be interested!

During the case itself, Chloe did seem to be getting closer to Hunter like she wanted to. She’s just kinda scared to commit but he seems like a sweetheart who’s willing to take things slow if needed–and he’s there for her a lot more than Ross had time for. I was proud of Chloe for finally telling Ross how it was gonna be now. Ross wasn’t an awful person or anything and his attorney skills definitely came in handy for Constance’s case, but Chloe already knew life with him was fairly lonely since he worked so much. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Chloe and Hunter in the next book!

There were lots of good red herrings as far as suspects went, but I kept going between two of them and I don’t think I was ever sure who I picked, so I just enjoyed the showdown and reveal. Aunt Constance was safe from any prison threat now, and Hunter was just happy Chloe was safe from any killer lurking around. A crazy case and a fun lakefront Halloween celebration made for the perfect read for this time of year.

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

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Christmas Scarf Murder

October 2, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the 2022 Kensington Cozies compilation of three short Christmas stories by three of their well-known cozy mystery authors, (in order of appearance in the book) Carlene O’Connor (Irish Village Mysteries), Maddie Day (Country Store Mysteries), and Peggy Ehrhart (The Knit & Nibble Mysteries). There’s usually three different authors every year, but I know Maddie and Carlene have done this more than once. Super enjoyable and a fun little bit of Christmas!

My Goodreads review:

Christmas Scarf Murder by Carlene O’Connor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was another fun Christmas short story compilation that I’ve come to look forward to reading every year. I’m up to date on the Country Store series, have read one or two in Irish Village and read the first one or two in Knit & Nibble, so I was already familiar with characters. Although someone could read these and not be lost.

Christmas Scarf Murder was a fun reunion with Siobhan and her big Irish family. I was suspicious of someone from the get-go, so it wasn’t too far of a stretch to find they were the killer. I got a kick out of the elder home residents too and Siobhan and her hubby’s cute banter while working the case. The showdown was planned a really good. And the ending was so darn sweet!

In Scarfed Down, it wasn’t a huge surprise who the killer was even though there were several to pick from. I always enjoy a good Christmas story with Robbie and crew though and had fun reading about the investigation. Wanda and Buck always crack me up! The showdown was tense at first but no one was hurt at least. I loved this ending as well, lots of Christmas togetherness with family and good friends.

Death by Christmas Scarf took us to Arborville NJ with Pamela and her group of knitter friends. I haven’t read in the series for a while, so I was happy to read about these folks and might just need to get out my next in series soon where I left off. I really enjoyed this mystery too and liked the twist toward the end. As with all good cozies, there were some fun Christmas parties but ended with the friends gathering for the big explanation. Even Nell couldn’t get on them too much for gossiping after all this! 😉

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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Seams Like Murder review

September 26, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the first book in a new series called the Sewing Studio Mysteries by Dorothy Howell who writes another cozy mystery, the Haley Randolph Mysteries. I really liked these characters and can’t wait to see what Abbey, her aunt and her new friends get into in the next book. I had a feeling when I saw that sewing was involved in this book that I’d really take to it. It was definitely lotsa fun!

#KensingtonCozies #DorothyHowell

My Goodreads review:

Seams Like Murder by Dorothy Howell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

On one hand, coming home to having your car accused of being used in a possible homicide was pretty awful for Abbey, but the possible friendship with Zack the handsome deputy would’ve been the saving grace, at least for me. But Abbey couldn’t bring herself to be even halfway nice to him until it was well into the book and he’d done what he could to prove to her he didn’t think she killed anyone. Poor guy having to work for that grumpy sheriff though! He was a piece o’ work for sure!

I loved how Abbey and Caitlin were able to resume the bestie friendship they’d only enjoyed for summers and how the rest of the businesses kinda pitched in to help with the investigation. Everyone had the interest of getting a killer off the streets once they started believing said killer wasn’t Abbey. There were enough cars in town that looked similar to hers it could’ve been anyone driving the car that killed the librarian. I know one person I was hoping might be the perp, but there were lots of good distractions and other possibilities too.

The showdown was pretty epic and as a seamstress I can totally laugh and say yep, that’s just what a bunch of people who sew or craft (or want a killer off the streets) might do with a wily killer! I loved how an embroidery machine was included in the story too probably because I really like using mine and it’s just fun to find something I can actually relate to in a book. This book releases tomorrow, September 27, don’t miss it! It’s pretty much everything I could want in a cozy mystery.

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 a Cape Cottage review

September 20, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the Cozy Capers Book Group Mysteries by Maddie Day aka Edith Maxwell who also writes the Country Store Mysteries as Maddie. I just love Mac’s super close-knit family and their interactions. She and Tim make a great couple and now that she’s wrapped her very orderly mind around marriage and subsequently having kids, Mac seems much better adjusted than she did in those first couple books. You won’t wanna miss this fun story of a mystery before the wedding!

I just had to include a note that if you’ve not read acknowledgements that authors write, you need to at least start reading the ones this author does. She’s always got something interesting or some back info included in it. This time it was a bittersweet mention of one of the characters being named after a lady’s sister. It was a charity auction with the winner getting to name a character in this book, and the lady who won chose to have the character named for her sister. I’m not gonna spoil the rest, you’ll just need to dig into those acknowledgements and find out what it was so sweet. I’ve always been a sort of acknowledgements nerd and try to always read those even if they’re short.

#KensingtonCozies #MaddieDay

My Goodreads review:

Murder in a Cape Cottage by Maddie Day
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mac sure never expected to have a mystery to solve so close to her wedding day, but one sorta just fell in her lap as she and Tim worked on gutting a closet in their cottage. I guess Mac felt a little indebted to get justice for this pathetic skeleton that’d been walled up eighty years ago since the remains were found in her and Tim’s cottage. Even though Bella the parrot was moved to Mac’s parents’ house during the renovation, we still got our bookish dose of her silliness and begging for snacks.

As Mac investigated, there was a current day someone who didn’t like her digging into a murder from long ago. The only actual murders were the cold cases but there was an attempt on someone’s life and by that time I was pretty sure who might be behind all this. The showdown was awesome with Mac herself preventing a killing, but for this cozy sleuth it’s all in a day’s work. And she lived to get married which was basically what her friends and family were all worrying about. The friends and Mac’s toast at the end was pretty sweet. This book releases a week from today, September 27.

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 on the Poet’s Walk review

September 19, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the eighth book in one of my favorite series, the Book Retreat Mysteries by Ellery Adams who’s written all kinds of great cozy mystery series. I really love the Book Retreat series because every time I visit Storyton Hall, there’s usually a trip through the mysterious Hall itself. There’re always secret passages that only the staff or Jane and the Fins know about, and that just makes it extra fun. I’m sure whenever she’s sleuthing, Jane probably feels like a grown-up Nancy Drew when she explores creepy and secret places. I probably always say the current book’s my favorite, but this one is super special! Don’t miss its release on September 27!

#KensingtonCozies #ElleryAdams

My Goodreads review:

Murder on the Poet’s Walk by Ellery Adams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just when she thought a bunch of poets might be on the quiet side, Jane had to deal with a couple more Rip van Winkles at Storyton Hall. It seemed clear who the killer was at some points…until it didn’t. I’ve always enjoyed Jane’s sons as characters. They’ve never been bratty just little boys who’ve now grown into middle school age young guys who seem to be taking the care and well-being of the Hall very seriously as they’ve been taught all along.

There’s just something so awesome and comforting about Jane being surrounded by all these men who love her and would die for her. Her Fins have all been like father figures to her aside from Lachlan who’s marrying her bestie, Eloise–he’s more the age of a brother. Jane’s been trained to hold her own, so she’s no shrinking violet or overly dependent either. It’s just a good mix. I loved hearing where the poodle pups came from, another fun little crossover mention from Books by the Bay which ended but I like it that Oliva can somewhat live on once in awhile here.

Jane’s pals in her book club work out awesome as extra sleuths sometimes like in this book. Mrs. Pratt sure seemed to love sleuthing! The showdown was absolutely epic! You might just leak some happy tears as well because if you’re a longtime fan, you’re gonna be so proud at this showdown you won’t be able to stand it.

And the ending after the wedding was just magical! More happy tears tissue alerts here, lol. I was smiling long after reading this book and still smile thinking about the ending. Don’t miss when it goes up for sale September 27!

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 Out of Character review

September 13, 2022September 13, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Peach Coast Library Mysteries by Olivia Matthews who wrote a couple other cozy series as well before working on this one for Hallmark Publishing. I sure hope they want her to do more because I’m more than ready to keep reading about these characters! They just really pulled me in extra hard in this second book.

I love the closeness Marvey has with her parents even though they’re still living in New York while she’s in Georgia. And her friends are just so amazing with how they’ve welcomed her into their various circles. It’s cool how she’s got her close circle of friends (Jo, Nolan and Spence) for sleuthing, but she can also call on her librarian friends for some after-hours sleuthing as well. What an awesome entourage, right? I know they’ve gotta have plenty more stories to tell! (Oh and a total side note: there’s no way I’d be able to only enjoy Anna May’s peach cobbler once a week! I admire Marvey’s self-control!)

#HallmarkPublishing #OliviaMatthews

My Goodreads review:

Murder Out of Character by Olivia Matthews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really liked this so much better than the first book, and I liked the first book a lot. The characters drew me in but in this book it was just different. Somehow it just all came together and these characters became friends I was visiting. The mystery did seem more compelling in this book too, and at times I had a hard time putting my Kindle down. I couldn’t read fast enough toward the end lol. A clever clue led me to guessing the killer.

The book had probably my most favorite type of showdowns (meaning it was fairly safe for all involved), and I sure hope there’s another book because it’s about high time that Jo lets Nolan know how much she likes him. And Marvey needs to do the same with Spence. There at least were some better hints toward that as the book progressed and especially at the end. I really loved how everyone gathered at the end for a sort of debriefing then a party to see Marvey’s folks off which was actually a little bit more than just that! I really hope Hallmark Publishing wants more of this series!

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

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