Tag: close friends and family

Poaching Is Puzzling review

Tari Hann

This is the twelfth book in the super fun Cookbook Nook Mysteries by one of my fave cozy authors, Daryl Wood Gerber. Unfortunately, the Goodreads page was made without a link to the series name, but you can look at the author’s page to see the others. Jenna’s sleuthing abilities have really grown over the twelve books, and she’s actually pretty useful to the police. And of course, she digs in and sleuths regardless of what Cinnamon says, lol.

#NetGalley #BeyondthePageBooks #DarylWoodGerber

My Goodreads review:

Poaching Is Puzzling: A Cookbook Nook Mystery #12Poaching Is Puzzling: A Cookbook Nook Mystery #12 by Daryl Wood Gerber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Poor Aunt Vera! When a crossword expert was killed, he happened to be an old friend of hers, but the worst part was being a suspect for his murder. Jenna was more invested than ever to figure this out. Cinnamon always cracks me up at how stern she comes off and warns Jenna, then she turns around and admits there’s just something about our Jenna girl that people like and love to talk to. Hey she’s got charisma, lol. But Jenna and Cinnamon have been getting along lately, at least tons better than in the early books, and Jenna does do her best to make sure she keeps that friendship. Even prickly Pepper, Cinnamon’s mom isn’t quite as bad as she was once.

Rhett and Jenna are the cutest married couple! It hasn’t changed a thing (unlike how some fave sleuth couples that got married on TV and the show got cancelled shortly after) between them, and while Rhett worries about her, he’s not about to squelch her curiosity. Jenna had another life-threatening showdown but she had a trick up her sleeve too, so all was well in Crystal Cove once the perp (who I hadn’t guessed this time) was hauled away. Vera and Marlon were another super cute couple even though the poor guy couldn’t work the case for most of the book. Can’t wait to see what our fave cove dwellers get into in 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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A Christmas Candy Killing review

Tari Hann

This is the first book in a brand new series, Killer Chocolate Mysteries by new cozy author Christina Romeril. She’s definitely got the right idea of what a cozy mystery’s all about, and I really loved her first offering. Her descriptions really made it feel like Christmas! I was pulled in from the beginning and really enjoyed all the different characters in the town that made up the interesting village of Harriston, Montana. I can’t wait for the next book now!

#CrookedLaneBooks #ChristinaRomeril

My Goodreads review:

A Christmas Candy KillingA Christmas Candy Killing by Christina Romeril
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was such a fun Christmas read! I’m a summer fan who’s simply ready for Christmas once summer’s all over. I could ideally skip fall aka allergy season lol, and this helped put me in a good Christmas mood. I really liked these sisters who were different enough but still enjoyed sleuthing together, although it was usually Alex doing the legwork since Hanna was the chocolate maker and felt she needed to stay put. The people making up their circle of friends were just so awesome it made me wish I could be friends with them too, like Maggie and Drew, bless his li’l hypochondriac heart anyway lol. The store was so cool too with the poison-named chocolates and the bookstore selling just mysteries.

That sweet doggie Miss Watson reminded me so much of the adorable boy who looked just like a Staffordshire that we fed over Labor Day, and her adoption story was similar. (Happy ending: the dog we helped has his forever home with someone now). Watson was super gentle but boy, when Alex needed her in action, Watson made her proud!

I’d sorta suspected someone from when clues just started to click, but it was definitely before Alex had the idea. She and Watson were holding their own in the showdown, but the help from a couple friends was very appreciated too. Hopefully one of said friends might be thinking in terms of being more than friends with Alex.

And the end was a little bit funny and a little bit sad for Duncan who’d broken up with Hanna a while back but still liked hanging out with her. He realized he might not be the only guy interested in her now! And a refreshing change from the MC getting a triangle–I think I could handle it better for a secondary character. I’m definitely eager to read the next book which does have a GR title listing only, but I’m waiting until there’s a cover picture to add it to my WTR. I’m just weird like that lol. Don’t miss this awesome embodiment of all things expected in a cozy mystery when it releases October 11!

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

View all my reviews