Tag: cozy mystery

Death of a Grill Master review

Tari Hann

This is the nineteenth book in the long-running Hayley Powell Food & Cocktails Mysteries by brother/sister team Lee Hollis aka Holly Simason and Rick Copp. This is sadly the last book in the series which I’d had no clue was ending. I don’t spend much time looking at social media anymore (why do that when you can be reading lol) so if it was announced there, I totally missed it. It’s hard to let go of these amazing characters, but I love the sendoff they got by the authors. Well done, you guys. And I love the fact that sweet little Leroy’s been in every book.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #LeeHollis

My Goodreads review:

Death of a Grill Master (Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery #19)Death of a Grill Master by Lee Hollis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It didn’t take long to figure out this was the last Hayley Powell mystery but it was wrapped up in such an awesome way. There were plenty of leaky eyes moments for sure, and I was so happy to find a few good Sergio-isms included, even a mention of one too. I’m really gonna miss these characters! And Sergio was among the most awesome fictional police chiefs I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading about. And note, this book probably requires a tissue alert in a few places, or maybe that’s just me. 😉

The mystery itself was good as always and Hayley was at her A-game sleuthing. She cracked me up how she was getting info and trying to keep it on the down low when Sgt. Earl passed her the intel, lol. There were lotsa changes going on in Hayley and her friends’ and family’s lives. But the main thing was everyone was happy and where they needed to be. I’d sure love to see a spinoff with Hayley and Bruce as PIs or something crazy like that. I’m already missing them!

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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The Ghost and the Dead Librarian review

Tari Hann

This is either the tenth book if you go by Goodreads’ listing or the first in a spin-off subtly changed to A Haunted Book Shop Detective, (from Haunted Bookshop Mysteries)and now that I finished the book, I totally get the change up in series name and can’t wait for more in this series. It’d be nice if Goodreads got that message, lol.

The authors, Cleo Coyle, are the husband/wife team of Alice Alfonsi (they were formerly Alice Kimberly as the author of the first five in the regular Haunted Bookshop) and Marc Cerasini. Cozy mystery fans also know them as the authors behind the long-running (since 2003!) Coffeehouse Mysteries. I still need to catch up on a few in the original Haunted Bookshop series, but hey any time spent reading about Jack Shepard is pretty amazing, so twist my arm, right?

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #CleoCoyle

My Goodreads review:

The Ghost and the Dead Librarian (A Haunted Bookshop Detective Mystery)The Ghost and the Dead Librarian by Cleo Coyle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After the murder of a woman who seemed to’ve been everyone’s friend in town, Pen and Jack were unofficially on the case again. They visited in person via Pen’s dreams while Jack showed her an old case he’d worked while subtly teaching her things she needed to know about the present day murder.

Pen was a good student because she aced the showdown with the killer—it’s always good to know a ghost who’s got your back during a killer confrontation though. Pen got an amazing opportunity so I’m excited to see what happens next.

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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The Pumpkin Vice Café

Tari Hann

This is the 23rd installment in the long-running Bakeshop Mysteries by a fave cozy author, Ellie Alexander. It’s always a good time in Ashland with Jules and all her family and amazing friends, and this time definitely didn’t disappoint. These books are hilarious, heartwarming and just plain fun, so if you haven’t discovered the Bakeshop Mysteries why not give ’em a try soon?

#NetGalley #St. MartinPaperbacks #MinotaurBooks #EllieAlexander

My Goodreads review:

 

The Pumpkin Vice Cafe: A Bakeshop MysteryThe Pumpkin Vice Cafe: A Bakeshop Mystery by Ellie Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lance always cracks me up and he definitely didn’t disappoint in this book while he and Jules sleuthed out the murder of the woman he’d been about to sign as a replacement wedding planner.

There was no shortage of suspects and it kept me guessing but I had a sneaky feeling about one of those suspects which did turn out to be the killer. Jules nearly faced off with them but she had a little advantage to start with then made sure she got law enforcement there to help. The baby shower and ending were super sweet. I’m eager to see what adventures are ahead for Jules and her family and friends.

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







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‘Tis the Season to Be Scary review

Tari Hann

This is the ninth book in Year-Round Christmas Mysteries, another Vicki Delany series I absolutely love. And Halloween’s pretty cool in what’s normally a Christmas town. I loved the spooky elements, they were just perfect. 

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #VickiDelany

My Goodreads review:

 

 

'Tis the Season to Be Scary (A Year-Round Christmas Mystery #9)‘Tis the Season to Be Scary by Vicki Delany
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

At a Halloween gala fundraiser for the hospital, a woman was murdered but police had trouble finding a reason for her murder or worse yet, anyone who wanted her dead. The only one known to’ve had any disagreement with her was Vicky, and Merry knew it wasn’t that. Det. Diane was a fair woman though and she immediately knew Vicky couldn’t’ve done it.

Merry had a close call with Vicky’s mom and figured someone didn’t want her on this case. Once she figured everything out and found herself facing an armed killer, Merry was worried this was really the end. It was cool how help came from a seriously unexpected source. The ending chapter was food, fun and friendship with a good wrap-up for everything. What a great Halloween mystery! Side note: I’m not a fan of this cover at all. The previous ones were so well done, and this just makes it look like it doesn’t even belong to the series. I had to do a double take when I located it on NetGalley. If the previous artist wasn’t available, it would’ve been nice to least have this in their amazing style.

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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Danger Looms review

Tari Hann

This is the eleventh book in the long-running Yarn Retreat Mysteries by Betty Hechtman, and I definitely hope there’s more to come. I did find that sometimes a book in the series ends on a question like this one did, but I was still a little disappointed in the very ending. I gotta say I agree with the statement made about Casey by someone at the end, so maybe she’ll think about it and act on it. I can’t say more without spoiling, but you’ll know when you read it what I’m talking about. 😉 I’m optimistic that the personal issue Casey’s having works out in the next book, hopefully the way I’m hoping. 

#NetGalley #BeyondthePage #BettyHechtman

My Goodreads review:

Danger LoomsDanger Looms by Betty Hechtman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Casey sure had her hands full at this retreat since another group, a bunch of writers was apparently given the run of the resort and allowed to pop in on her sessions whenever they wanted. She did seem to get the least worst of the resort. When their leader was killed, Casey couldn’t help wanting to sleuth it out and help keep her yarn retreat from being known once more as a place where someone died.

She faced off with the killer and it was pretty cool what she did to get rid of them. I liked who came along as reinforcements too. There was a pretty funny moment when an unlikely person actually turned up in the final night’s entertainment show. After the case was done and settled, I wasn’t too thrilled with the very ending which wasn’t how I wanted to see things go. Casey had a personal dilemma going on, so I was disappointed in that ending. But I’m hopeful it’ll go a good direction in the next book.

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


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Casting Call 4 Murder-review

Tari Hann

This is the sixteenth book in the long-running Sophie Kimball Mysteries by J.C. Eaton. There’re still a few books in the middle of the series I haven’t read yet, shame on me right? I started getting the ARCs which is how I kinda got behind, oops. But I’ve loved every one of these books I’ve read and especially enjoy the adorable book covers featuring Streetman, Phee’s mom’s cute little troublemaker. He was in rare form in this book as you’ll see when you read it!

Note: The Goodreads author listing is wrong so I’ve included the real link for J.C. Eaton’s author page where you can see Ann Goldfarb with her beloved late husband Jim Clapp who both wrote this series. The page shown with this particular book doesn’t even have all the JC Eaton series listed, so make sure you use the link I’ve got above for the series. Also Goodreads doesn’t show all the books on the series page so I included the link for the Amazon page which does show all 16 books. (Not an affiliate link).

Apparently Jim left enough notes for a few more books after he’d passed, according to what I read in the Facebook group where Ann posts. That was one of the saddest author passings for the cozy mystery world that year.

#NetGalley #BeyondthePageBooks #JCEaton

My Goodreads review:

Casting Call 4 MurderCasting Call 4 Murder by J. C. Eaton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Isn’t that the most adorable book cover with little Streetman holding that fish? There’s a hilarious story behind it too you’ll learn when you read this book. Phee was doing her usual herding of cats, er book club ladies when Harriet and the gang were gifted with a murder mystery weekend. The funniest part was that Harriet, Myrna and Ina were gonna be extras and got to improv their roles—oh boy did they! 🤣

More hilarity happened when Streetman who was being dog-sat by Paul went on an outing with him. Nope I won’t spoil it but it was super funny. Phee of course figured out the killer and faced off with them but held her own until the cavalry arrived. What a fun 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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Death on the Books review

Tari Hann

This is the tenth and final installment in the Blue Ridge Library Mysteries by Victoria Gilbert which I’ve enjoyed since that very first book. Even though I knew it was the last book, it still didn’t make it any easier to have to say goodbye to Amy and her family/friends. Although because of the author’s newest series, Campus Sleuth, it won’t be a total goodbye since it’s set at Clarion College where Richard Muir teaches.

Death on the Books (Blue Ridge Library Mysteries #10)Death on the Books by Victoria Gilbert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I knew this was planned to be the final book, but it was bittersweet saying goodbye to these amazing characters I’d come to think of as old friends whenever a new book came out. I’ll definitely miss that wolfish smile of Kurt’s and the banter between him and Amy. He’s come a long way from the first book, in a really good way too.

I loved the final adventure Amy and Kurt had together—he did a really fabulous job of ridding his house of some perps. Everyone had a nice party at the end which this group always loved to do anyway. I know the author’s newest series is in roughly the same setting with Clarion College so I know we’ll run into our old friends there from time to time.

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 at First Slice review

Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in the Baker Street Mysteries by Valerie Burns, and it quickly became a favorite series right up there with her Mystery Bookshop series written as V.M. Burns. I love both these series and others she’s written because the characters are just so much fun with tons of humor and good times going on along with the murder, of course. English Mastiff Baby steals the show in the Baker Street Mysteries, he’s such a sweetie! 

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #ValerieBurns

My Goodreads review:

Murder at First Slice (Baker Street Mystery #5)Murder at First Slice by Valerie Burns
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Poor Maddy was having the worst luck of anyone all through the wedding planning and even now as close as they were to the wedding, bad and weird stuff just kept happening. The worst thing was someone was trying to make it look like Michael’s grandma Miss Hannah killed her obnoxious relative. Maddy wasn’t resting until she found the real killer, so with her trusty sidekick Baby, all 250 drooling pounds of him, they nailed another killer. What a cool happily ever after though!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Cozies via NetGalley and Amy opinions are my own.


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Bubble, Bubble Tea and Trouble review

Tari Hann

This is the seventh book in the Tea by the Sea Mysteries by Vicki Delany, and it’s been a really fun series I’ve enjoyed since its beginning. Bernie always cracks me up with all her different methods of procrastinating, yet she manages to sleuth and find clues. This time was no exception. 🙂

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #VickiDelany

My Goodreads review:

Bubble, Bubble, Tea and Trouble (Tea by the Sea Mysteries)Bubble, Bubble, Tea and Trouble by Vicki Delany
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lily’s pal Bernie doing her edits on her manuscript was cracking me up because she seemed to be doing what everyone does when a not-so-fun job is facing you: she does everything except what she’s supposed to be doing, lol. Bernie gets squirreled away easily enough as it is! And Lily always manages to get dragged into the investigation when all she wants to do is cook and bake for her grandma’s B&B and the tearoom.

When a group of ghost-loving women showed up as guests and their leader seemed to’ve ghosted them (pun totally intended), one of the women took over as leader until the tour leader showed up eventually. Things went sideways from there on out, speculations were made about an accident that seemed like a murder, and Bernie actually did come up with some good info. That led to a pretty exciting showdown where the perp actually needed rescuing, imagine that! Only in North Augusta!

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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Eight Enchanting Elixirs review

Tari Hann

This is the eighth (as indicated by the title) book in the Kitchen Witch mysteries by Lynn Cahoon, and I’ve enjoyed every book from the beginning including all the fun little half-step books in between. I hope it’s not the end but the way it wrapped up, it wouldn’t surprise me. Everything was in a great place though and happy endings were enjoyed by all those who deserved them.

#KensingtonCozies #NetGalley #LynnCahoon

My Goodreads review:

Eight Enchanting Elixirs (Kitchen Witch Mysteries, #8)Eight Enchanting Elixirs by Lynn Cahoon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

From the way this book ended, I’m guessing it’s the last one in the series. I hope I’m wrong but everything was just wrapped up so nicely from the main murder in the story to some other side mysteries. There were some fun revelations in the book too and by the time I read the Acknowledgments after the book, I could infer from what the author said that this was the happily ever after book of the series.

What an awesome book hangover! It’s just too bad the previous fun covers were changed. Now these new book covers look like every other magical story out there, kinda meh. If I was new to reading the series, I wouldn’t be drawn in by them. At least the old covers still exist here on Goodreads.

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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