cozy mystery – Page 36 – Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

A Three Book Problem review

January 10, 2022January 10, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the seventh book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mysteries by well-known cozy author Vicki Delaney (aka Eva Gates of the Lighthouse Library series), and I had the pleasure of having read the series since the get-go. At first, I wasn’t sure I liked Gemma at all, but I got used to her character and think she’s pretty awesome now. The supporting cast is a lot of fun too, yes even at-first-grumpy Det. Louise Estrada who’s a good cop and detective, but Gemma’s always thought she hated her. I think Louise secretly admires how Gemma’s brain works.

Be sure and read the author’s acknowledgements at the end. Lots of our favorite authors wrote during the super difficult times of early 2020, and it’s just interesting to see how well their books came out despite all the hardships. Big hugs to any and all authors who accomplished that!

My Goodreads review:

A Three Book Problem by Vicki Delany
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a little different from Gemma’s usual cases since all her suspects were gathered right away together and weren’t supposed to leave. It did seem a little overwhelming at first with having all the characters introduced almost at once, but as Gemma went along with her investigation, their distinct personalities started coming through. I had my eye on one in particular almost the whole time, but I didn’t guess right.

Gemma always amazes me with her constantly working brain that notices every little detail. I think even Louise Estrada, the detective Gemma’s always sure hates her was coming around a little bit as she actually pitched in to help with the Sherlock Holmes event a little bit while she was at the mansion babysitting the guests. It’s kind of funny because you can tell she’s pretty fascinated by how Gemma comes up with her findings, but Louise definitely isn’t about to let her know that! Although as observant as Gemma is, I’m betting she already knows!

The showdown was good and mostly non-dangerous at least not to Gemma herself. Gemma’s Sherlock Holmes fan friend Donald always cracks me up, and he was in his Sherlockian glory during this event. The ending was kinda cute, and I’m eager as always to read the next adventures Gemma and her friends get into.

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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Crimes and Covers review

January 9, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in the Magical Bookshop Mysteries by multi-published author Amanda Flower, and it’s a fitting and sweet final book if this is truly the last book. I’ve loved this series since I read the very first book and highly reocmmend starting at the beginning so you can get to know the characters and watch as David and Violet’s relationship grows.

My Goodreads review:

Crimes and Covers by Amanda Flower
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was the perfect book for ending the series, if it’s really the last book, but from the author’s acknowledgements, it sounds like it might be. David and Violet’s long-awaited wedding got interrupted by a murder. Violet’s interest was getting this thing solved so she and David could go on their honeymoon. The missing book was also bugging her a lot, and she was all over that.

There were lots of twists and turns, and at times I was a little confused until everything came out at the end. I hadn’t really known which person was guilty, so I just read along and let Violet do the sleuthing, er I mean David and his team too. 😉

I loved the showdown and how the pets and shop helped out. It was pretty exciting and now with the murder aspect taken care of as well as the book, the happy couple was able to go on their trip. The ending was just about the sweetest it could’ve been!

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A Fatal Family Feast review

January 4, 2022 Tari Hann

Hey there, Happy 2022 and thanks for reading my blog in 2021. I’m excited to write more ARC reviews for 2022 starting with the sixth book in the Farm-to-Fork Mysteries by one of my favorite cozy authors, Lynn Cahoon. This series quickly became a favorite of mine because just like with her other series, there’s a great sense of family and togetherness. Family is first, and it doesn’t matter if you’re related or not. The theme is that good friends who work and are friends can be family as well. This book is out today and published by #KensingtonPublishing.

My Goodreads review:

A Fatal Family Feast by Lynn Cahoon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Weddings and murder definitely don’t mix, especially when the murder affects the bride’s family without being a member of said family. Angie was determined her bestie was going to have the best wedding day ever, so she quickly got on the case. Once she had a suspect, she didn’t let go this time. It was really more about how the perp was caught as opposed to whodunit which after piecing things together did seem obvious. I liked the game of cat and mouse that was set in between all the regular activities Felicia and Angie had to get in before the wedding.

The showdown was really good, and the book’s ending was even better! I hadn’t seen any of that coming, so there was definitely some happy eye leakage going on while I read. I can’t wait to see what the next book brings!

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

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Witch Trial review

December 27, 2021 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Full Moon Mysteries by Cate Conte. As Cate, she also has the Cat Cafe Mysteries, and as Liz Mugavero, she writes the Pawsitively Organic Mysteries. The last of those was written in 2019, so I’m glad she’s writing again under at least one of her names. I hope Full Moon continues on because with this second book, I’m really more acquainted with the characters and wishing for future adventures.

My Goodreads review:

Witch Trial by Cate Conte
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It seemed like it’d been forever since I read the first book, so it took me just a little bit to remember what had gone on, but the author did a good job of reviewing without spoilers. I really do recommend reading the first book first because much of this book is a continuation of something that happened in that book.

There were a lot of different characters and possible suspects for both the continuing witchy situation and the murder of a mortal in this book. I loved Violet’s references to Samantha and Darrin in one place in the book, lol. In this world, guys and girls are both just witches for simplicity purposes I guess, but it’s still just as hard to get the nerve up to tell a mortal that you’re a witch just like back in Samantha’s day. We got to know Violet’s sister Zoe a little better this time as well as their mom, Fiona. I really like Zoe, and I guess my liking of Fiona’s character might be selective. I only like her sometimes or if I know she’s trying to help one of her girls. She’s growing on me, lol.
I wasn’t sure about Blake’s role in this, so I just kept an open mind and read on.

Toward the end, there was a surprise I didn’t see coming, and I hadn’t been able to guess whodunit. The ending after the killer was caught honestly seemed a little abrupt, but it did make sense and didn’t really leave anything hanging. I do hope there’s going to be another book so at least the conversation being had could continue.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Publishing via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own. This book releases tomorrow, December 28, 2021.

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Jane Darrowfield and the Madwoman Next Door review

December 26, 2021December 26, 2021 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Jane Darrowfield Mysteries series by Maine Clambake author Barbara Ross. I haven’t heard any additional plans for Jane Darrowfield and really hope there’s going to be more. This particular book came out previously as paperback only and exclusive to Barnes & Noble, but now that it’s past that contract, it’s available December 28, 2021 as a Kindle book and paperback on Amazon as well.

Jane Darrowfield and the Madwoman Next Door by Barbara Ross
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jane Darrowfield was on a strange case where her neighbor thought she was going crazy, but Jane’s research showed otherwise. I loved how she went about her research doing both online and some old-fashioned legwork. Jane still reminds me of a twenty-first Jessica Fletcher who I’m pretty sure would’ve embraced all the technology available to her right now. Although I’m not sure being compared to her would make Jane all that happy, lol. I loved it when Jane and Harry got together. They were just so cute!

There were enough suspects that I didn’t really trust anyone except Jane herself and Det. Alvarez. I was suspicious of someone early on, and while my attention was caught by all the other distractions, I was right to be suspicious of the person. The question eventually was whether there was a murder now or not? What happened to this neighbor who thought she was going nuts?

Jane’s discovery led to a good ending as well as a nice little ending for her and Harry. I hope there’re going to be more books in the series, but if not, I feel like this did end in a place I can live with. 🙂 Don’t miss it–the book comes out Tuesday December 28th.

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

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How to Book a Murder review

December 19, 2021 Tari Hann

This is the first book in a new series by well-established cozy author Cynthia Kuhn. It’s called Starlit Bookshop Mysteries and I gotta say I love the play on the family name Starrs + Lit = Starlit, pretty clever name. And it was a bookshop that was well-known and loved around the town, so it was natural for the daughters Laura and Emma to run it. I really liked their aunt Nora. She was gutsy and wouldn’t let herself get walked on, but she had the biggest heart when it came to her family. No wonder she’d stayed in the family home, and the three of them were now a family.

My Goodreads review:

How to Book a Murder by Cynthia Kuhn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow I really enjoyed this author’s writing! I know she’s pretty well-known in the cozy world, but I just hadn’t had the pleasure of reading any of her works until I found this on NetGalley. I’m so glad I did, because I got right into the story from the start. I really liked Emma and Laura, the two sisters who ran their family’s bookstore. I enjoyed the interaction of Emma with a guy she went to school with who was now a detective along with the leader of a writers’ critique group she’d joined. The author did an amazing job of creating a character I absolutely loathed! I think you’ll know who I mean once you read the book and probably agree.

Aunt Nora was having some internal issues at the college where she taught, so that was an interesting side story that was wrapped up well but still showed that college professors weren’t exempt from workplace drama.

I was completely surprised by the whodunit, and the showdown was pretty epic. I was proud of Emma for thinking to do something she did. I think she and Jake might just have a future friendship and maybe beyond now that they were getting along. I can’t wait to see what the girls come up with next for their bookstore that thanks to a successful author event seemed to be doing well now.

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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Cold Brew Corpse review

December 18, 2021 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the newer series called Coffee Lovers Mysteries by Tara Lush, and I’m really enjoying getting to know these characters. I found myself giggling at what was going on more than once! Great humor and dialogue among the characters is what I really appreciate about a good cozy. I can’t wait to read the next one!

My Goodreads review:

Cold Brew Corpse by Tara Lush
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I liked this book even better than the first one! It just had more of a regular cozy vibe which I remember not getting as much with the first book. I can’t really explain it, but I just liked this book so much better. The two main characters of Lana and Noah seemed a little more mature and comfortable together. I loved that they were at least on a “we need to date” basis, but it was mainly his crazy hours that kept them from it. That and another case. Lana was awesome as a first person narrator, and I enjoyed the author’s sense of humor coming out in her–and some of the other characters. The dialogue was just so good, and I love how natural-sounding it is!

I’m pretty sure Peter Lewis aka Dad was my fave character in the first book, and that’s definitely not changed. And Erica’s the best bestie a girl could ask for. There was a little side mystery of the cold brew batch going wonky on them. I had my suspicions, and you might too once you read the book!

I was completely surprised by the whodunit, and the showdown was a good one. Lana didn’t get by unscathed though, but by the time she was okay, she was ready to hit the workplace once more. I’m eager to read more in this fun series! That little Stanley pup has stolen my heart!

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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Renewed for Murder review

December 17, 2021 Tari Hann

This is the sixth book in the Blue Ridge Library Mysteries by Victoria Gilbert. She also writes a newer series as well called Book Lovers B&B Mysteries. Anything that’s related to books and mysteries, I’m there! I’ve come to think of the Blue Ridge characters as old friends, and I’m always happy to see a new installment in this series.

My Goodreads review:

Renewed for Murder by Victoria Gilbert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I can’t say this was my favorite in the series so far, but it was definitely a good mystery and fairly complicated (and admittedly slow in spots), so I just took the advice Brad always gives Amy (but she never follows lol) to let them take over solving it. I kinda just sat back and read wondering what was going to happen next. I never really had one person in mind. At one point, the person whodunit did cross my mind, but I never could come up with a good reason.

The showdown was really exciting though and had Zelda and Amy running around with a killer in an old building in the dark, wow talk about suspense! Everything ended great, and Kurt had a big hand in getting them some much needed help from the authorities. I loved the line he gave Brad when Brad gave his approval for Kurt helping out. But I won’t spoil it. It’s just typical Kurt, and I’ve honestly come to love his character a lot! I don’t think I could’ve said that early on. Yep, he skirts the law, but I remember how everyone always loved ole JR Ewing every Friday night doing that same thing. This guy isn’t much different lol! He’s also very good to have as a friend rather than an enemy, lol.

I’m loving the married Amy and Richard! They’re the cutest couple and despite having their normal share of disagreements, they always end each day on a good note and have lots of respects for each other. I’m definitely looking forward to more adventures in this series!

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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Beauty and the Deceased review

December 14, 2021 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the Resale Boutique Mysteries by Debra Sennefelder who also writes the Food Blogger Mysteries. I really enjoy both these series with two differently-aged main characters but each having her own lovable charms. I’m especially eager for the next Resale Boutique to come out due to an ongoing storyline that got ramped up in this book.

The cat photo made me think of what Howard might look like if his nap was interrupted.

My Goodreads review:

Beauty and the Deceased by Debra Sennefelder
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Murder hit a little closer to home this time for Kelly, so she was beyond determined to figure out whodunit even despite a couple of threats. If that wasn’t enough, a secret that was eating at Kelly came to light, and she had to deal with those repercussions. On a bright note, she met a couple of cute guys she didn’t appear opposed to getting to know better. (Keeping fingers crossed this won’t be a triangle, lol).

Pepper’s always been my favorite character, and she came through especially well this time around as a mom figure. Kelly really needs a dedicated snooping partner although she seems to prefer being a loner. Liv’s great as a bestie and support system, but she’s kinda-sorta dating Gabe the police chief, so of course, she’s going to discourage Kelly’s investigating. Kelly just needs a sidekick of some kind, and Howard the cat doesn’t quite fit that bill. He’s great for her as a sounding board when she’s home.

I’m super eager now to read the next book with how an ongoing side story turned out. I’d purposely gotten caught up in the series prior to reading this installment which is out today, so if you’re a fan, don’t miss this one which releases today! The usual advice of reading in order stands with this series. I can’t really think of exact spoilers, but part of the storyline is progressive and some things are mentioned that make me think it’s best to go in order with this series.

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

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Murder at the Bake Sale review

December 11, 2021 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Maya and Sandra series written by one of my favorite writing teams, Lee Hollis (Rick Copp and his sister Holly Simason). The talented duo also writes the Hayley Powell Food & Cocktails series as well as the Desert Flowers Mysteries.

I enjoyed getting back to the Maya and Sandra series after what seemed like a long time. Hopefully, it’ll be back on their once-a-year rotation they have with their other series. I’m curious to see what happens next to these two clever ladies!

My Goodreads review:

Murder at the Bake Sale by Lee Hollis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’d forgotten how much fun the first book of this series was since it’s been a while since I read it. These two very opposite friends made a heck of a good sleuthing team! And Sandra had grown a little since the first book too seeming more confident and after finding out something in this book, she was more determined to prove she could be a worthy PI partner for her pal Maya who was a former cop and knew exactly how to play things to stay by the book and out of trouble.

Maya cracked me up with her kitchen efforts always backfiring. But just as Sandra was trying very hard at sleuthing, Maya gave it a shot for her daughter’s bake sale. Collectively, these two ladies had some pretty cool kids, two of which were dating (Maya’s Vanessa and Sandra’s Ryan). I know I was suspicious of someone throughout the book for something but never really thought about them being the killer.

The showdown was good with the police getting there in time to haul off the perp. Both Maya and Sandra had a couple of life-changing moments in their individual lives, so it’ll be interesting to see how any future books play out.

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

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