coworkers as friends – Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

Crescent City Christmas Chaos review

November 4, 2025November 4, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the Vintage Cookbook Mysteries by another fave cozy author, Ellen Byron. It’s also another series I’ve read from the very beginning. I was so happy when the previous book was announced as getting a new publishing house since it looked like it wasn’t gonna continue with the previous.

I loved this author’s Cajun Country Mysteries and it seems whenever she writes a book set in Louisiana, I always find a reason to wanna explore something a little more online. This time I wanted to see just what a shotgun cottage looked like. I was surprised and happy to discover we’d seen these types of cottages this summer while driving through the French Quarter and on the way there. Yay for learning something new–and having already seen it. Back to the book, I can’t wait for the next one to come now now!

#NetGalley #SevernHouse #EllenByron

My Goodreads review:

Crescent City Christmas Chaos by Ellen Byron
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow Ricki was one busy shopkeeper this Christmas season, but this time it seemed like she was gone more than being there. She had all her virtual plates spinning in the air as she tackled running the shop, helping her friends with a cookbook project, sleuthing a murder case, and she tried to squeeze in time for her parents as well as Virgil.
The folks were in since Luis was being Virgil’s cameraman for his food show special. Toss in a random bandit going around stealing stuff dressed as NOLA’s beloved snowman character, and I’m surprised Ricki didn’t wave a white flag or tell them to stick a fork in her, she’s done lol. When she and some friends came face to face with a killer, one friend surprised them all by saving the day. Eventually the bandit was caught and Ricki got an amazing Christmas surprise. Can’t wait for the next book now!

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

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The Tattered Cover review

October 29, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the eighth book in the Secret, Book & Scone Society series by a cozy fave author, Ellery Adams. I’ve really enjoyed the growth of these women as individuals and a group since the very first book. They’ve all come such a long way, but they’d be the first to say they’ve probably got lots more room to grow and change, so I’ll definitely be along for the ride as long the series continues.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #ElleryAdams

My Goodreads review:

The Tattered Cover by Ellery Adams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It’s always fun to return to Miracle Springs, NC and see what Nora and all her friends get into. Sheldon as always was at his comic best—he can be funny and super sweet all in the same moment. Estella had a couple extra good things happen, although another thing wasn’t so good. Two murders that Grant and his team were investigating didn’t make for the greatest togetherness during this trio of holidays, but he always managed to spend time with Nora.

Toward the end it got extra exciting and reading was basically nonstop by then. The perp was caught and eventually confessed while the friends got ready to celebrate Christmas together then with their own sets of family/friends. I always love how these ladies are like sisters and fiercely protect each other no matter what. After a couple joyful events and a scary one, it was finally time to have Christmas. Every time one of these books ends, I hate to leave these characters who’ve become like old friends. Can’t wait to see what they get into next time!

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 Pays a Call review

September 9, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the first in what I imagine from the cover is gonna be called the Keri Armstrong series by a familiar cozy mystery author Nancy J. Cohen who also writes The Bad Hair Day Mysteries featuring MC Marla who got a shoutout in this book. Keri’s an awesome main character with some fun, quirky friends/coworkers and I can’t wait to see another book in this series!

#NetGalley #NancyJCohen #OrangeGrovePress

My Goodreads review:

Murder Pays a Call by Nancy J. Cohen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed meeting Keri and her office colleagues at her personal concierge agency. Purdy cracked me up always juggling his dates with different women. It was sad that a really nice person was the victim, although according to some, she wasn’t the nicest person. And that meant there were more suspects than anyone knew what to do with. Keri’s bestie Lora was also part of the cast and I was glad to see she was working out as the graphic artist Keri needed.

I enjoyed the twist at the end and the reveal which was really exciting as both Keri and her new friend Diane took on the killer. I’m definitely wanting to read the next book and see what Keri and her friends get into next!

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

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A Murder at the Movies review

June 16, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Secret Bookcase Mysteries by Ellie Alexander, and it releases the same day as the first book, June 19, 2026. Hope book three comes soon! I’m really getting to be friends with these characters.

#NetGalley #StormPublishing #EllieAlexander

My Goodreads review:

A Murder at the Movies by Ellie Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’d love to visit this bookstore if it was real! It sounds like the coolest bookstore ever and yeah, I’d probably be heading for the replica office of Jessica Fletcher that was one of the rooms. This was another amazing mystery which I never really committed a guess on. I loved how Liam was slowly changing in a good way and becoming someone Annie could be interested in. Will Pri finally get to say “I told you so”? Annie and Liam made an awfully good sleuthing team!

The main mystery was all wrapped up nicely at the end, but another thread of the Scarlet murder mystery continued at the very end. Now I’m really hoping that third book comes out soon! It was awesome for the first two books to be published on the same day. I’m finding myself wishing the third one had as well.

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

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The Body in the Bookstore review

June 13, 2024June 13, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the first book in a brand new series called A Secret Bookcase Mysteries by well-known cozy mystery author, Ellie Alexander. I absolutely loved this and can’t wait for everyone else to be able to read it when it comes out next week on the 19th. The second book in the series also releases that day, so I’ll be reviewing it soon.

#NetGalley #StormPublishing #EllieAlexander

My Goodreads review:

The Body in the Bookstore by Ellie Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Isn’t Secret Bookcase just the coolest name for a mystery bookshop? Just like this author’s other cozy mysteries, this one pulled me in with some awesome characters and wouldn’t let go as the mystery unfolded and suspects pretty much lined the walls. Pri made such an amazing bestie for Annie who’d lost her college bestie eight years ago and had driven herself crazy since the case went cold, so I have a feeling that’ll be the side mystery thread that’s ongoing for however long.

But the main murder was all solved and wrapped up nicely at the end. I loved how Annie and Pri made a good sleuthing team. We met a character that I absolutely couldn’t stand in the beginning but toward the end maybe there’s a heart underneath all that snark. It’ll be interesting to find out. Luckily I’ve got the second book as an ARC to start now since both books release the same day.

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

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Murders of a Feather review

October 4, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Dr. Kate Vet Mysteries by Eileen Brady who happens to be a veterinarian herself. I’ve only read the second and this third book but the characters grabbed hold of my heart and wouldn’t let go, so I really enjoy these key players and Kate’s story of how she came to run Oak Hills and how she relies on her team. This team of ladies is unstoppable.

And her Gramps, I just love that guy! I’m such a sucker for a girl and her grandpa. And I’m pretty sure Gramps is gonna heartily approve of Mike, the large animal vet Kate’s been seeing in this book. I can’t wait for the next book now.

#NetGalley #PoisonedPenPress #EileenBrady

My Goodreads review:

Murders of a Feather by Eileen Brady
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was absolutely awesome and I really love these key characters! Kate has an amazing team of ladies at her vet clinic that’re more than just coworkers. They’re friends outside if work and they sleuth together sometimes as well.

After three deaths that were connected by various ways, Kate was determined to get some answers especially since the temp employee had cleverly done something hoping to point to her killer just like Kate herself did during a super exciting showdown. I think I was most excited to see just when she’d get to use the pepper spray she kept on her at all times as per her promise to Gramps. (I just love her Gramps!). Kate didn’t disappoint and neither did some furry and feathered friends of hers who did a real number on that killer!

I was so happy for Kate meeting that sweet fellow vet named Dr. Mike too. He was sure a keeper and even helped in the showdown, although he paid a price that slowed him a little but not enough to keep from making some post-Valentine’s Day plans with Kate. Her actual Valentine’s Day date was her favorite man in the entire world. 😉

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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Barking Up the Wrong Tree review

December 15, 2022December 15, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the super cute Gone to the Dogs Mysteries being written by Janice Thompson and Kathleen Y’Barbo. According to Goodreads, it looks as if there’re at least two more books coming. The fourth book shows April as the publication date, but this book was originally set to publish January 1, 2023 and it published today. I just happened to see another blogger reviewing it and found out that way. It’s still listed as January 1 on both Goodreads and NetGalley. But it was definitely no chore to bump it ahead and read it since I’ve really grown to like these vet clinic characters a lot, and Grandma Peach, well, she’s just a hoot and a half, lol.

My Goodreads review:

Barking up the Wrong Tree by Janice Thompson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I saw this was releasing sooner than the date that showed in NetGalley, I hoped I could get it done in time, but no worries there. Once I started reading, I couldn’t stop! It was great to read about the vet/office team at Lone Star clinic especially when they were sleuthing. And while I’m all about cozy murder mysteries, I’ve never minded that this series doesn’t have that. I get so wrapped up in the characters and how they’re going about solving the mystery, it just never seems to matter if it’s a murder or a swapped-out dog.

I love how there’s always a couple of side stories about the friends doing some positive things and goodwill gestures for some of the neighbors like Mr. Robbins finally adopting a dog or Mr. Flores getting some much-needed house and yardwork help. But the ones who aren’t the good guys never get away with it–that you can count on! It was great how the crew flushed out the missing dog.

Grandma’s wedding was awesome especially what happened at the reception! Super sweet and just fun to visit with these characters again. I enjoyed this book being from Kristin’s viewpoint too!

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

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