cozy mystery – Page 55 – Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

Red Hot by Dana Dratch-review

May 27, 2020May 27, 2020 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Red Herring series by Dana Dratch, and I think they just keep getting better and crazier. Some of the stuff that happens to Alex is so nutty, but she always gets her killer.

My Goodreads review:

Red Hot by Dana Dratch

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I think this has been my favorite so far of this series! I loved that it took Alex away from her home turf for a while to Miami, Florida, and that we got to know her sister Annie a lot better. I really like Annie, and she made an excellent sleuth and interrogator. She could question people, and they never realized it. Of course, with Alex’s luck, the trip turned into a murder investigation but not at first. It was more of a “where did the dead woman hide the money she took” investigation. Lucy, Nick’s dog that came along on the girls’ trip was adorable as always. Trip, being the good friend that he was, had managed to snag a writing gig that Alex was able to work on during the time in Florida, and it was going to feature Lucy.

A Vlodnachek vacation wouldn’t be complete without the ENTIRE family. That itself gave a little comic relief due to Baba (Grandma) showing up. I loved the showdown and how everyone worked together to trap the killer. Another favorite character, Gabby, made a good appearance and used her special skills to help with the sleuthing. This series has yet to disappoint me.

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Secrets of the Past review

May 20, 2020May 20, 2020 Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in the Whodunit Antiques series written by Shelly West. I’ve read and loved this series from the very beginning, but I think this book has been my favorite so far. Even though there was no murder, there were still some mysteries to be cleared up, and readers even got to meet the enigmatic Mrs. Applebaum. Actually, she was the energetic Mrs. Applebaum even though Abigail thought she looked lots older than her Granny. She was definitely a character! My suggestion for fully enjoying this series is to start at the beginning. Characters will make more sense to you too, and you’ll get to read about all the past cases that Abigail and Granny have helped solve.

I found the photo of a greyhound (Google search, labeled for reuse) to celebrate James’ adopted dog, Zippy.

My Goodreads review:

Secrets of the Past by Shelly West

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was the best book yet and answered a lot of family type questions readers have had over the course of the last four books. I even found myself not caring that there was no murder, I was so into the whole story about Abigail’s real father and the hilarious Mrs. Applebaum! I kept hearing about her in the other books and was calling her in my mind “the elusive Mrs. Applebaum” lol. She’s really a hoot just like Granny had told Abigail, and I thought it was really cool how she got to play the part of a sort of fairy godmother for Abigail and Granny. Will we ever find out where she goes when she’s not visting Granny?

There was a super happy ending with appropriate amounts of smiles and tears (yes a little eye-leaking on my part too!). I can’t wait for the next installment!

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

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A Study in Murder review

May 19, 2020May 19, 2020 Tari Hann

This is the first book in the Victorian Book Club series by Callie Hutton who’s no stranger to writing, but from her bio I read that this is her first venture into cozy mysteries, technically historical cozy mysteries since this takes place in 1890. All I know is, she certainly entertained me with her sense of humor coming through the characters. I wasn’t sure what to expect, since I’m not normally a historical cozy reader but occasionally I’ll read one. I was pleasantly surprised by these fun characters, especially William and Amy. I’m definitely up for reading the next book!

My Goodreads review:

A Study in Murder by Callie Hutton

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Really well-written and plotted, I love the sense of humor and the budding relationship with Amy and William. They made the best sleuthing buddies, and with the little hint of some things yet to come in the next book, I’m definitely going to have to check it out. The killer was a total surprise to me with a quick but efficient showdown where both Amy and William were able to shine.

I loved the idea of Lady Amy being a mystery writer who was incognito and going to book clubs where they were discussing her book that everyone thought was written by a man, because in 1890 women weren’t considered much of anything let alone writers. Amy was a a nice strong personality for that era and more than one time I was cheering her on or sharing eye rolls with her when someone would make a snarky comment. I liked Margaret a lot too. She was more like an older sister than an aunt, because mainly in those days some aunts were stuffy and no fun, lol. Just as the running joke of someone saying “your fiance” followed with Amy saying, “…my EX-fiance” was wearing a little thin, the author did the funniest thing with it toward the end. Just read it, you’ll know when you see it and hopefully laugh as much as I did. I definitely liked this book a lot better than I thought I would when I first started it!

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

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A Spell for Trouble review

May 14, 2020May 14, 2020 Tari Hann

This is the first book by Esme Addison in the new cozy series called Enchanted Bay, and I absolutely loved it! The characters, the setting, just everything including the magical aspect. As we all know from a certain teen wizard’s books and movies, there’s always good and bad magic, so Alex and her cousins had a plateful trying to figure out who was behind framing aunt Lidia for a murder. I can’t wait for the next book! What a fun virtual beach vacation!

My Goodreads review:

A Spell for Trouble by Esme Addison

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is going to be such an awesome series! I just loved this first book with all the unique magical characters, and I can’t wait to visit with them again. The setting was awesome and I could just picture the gorgeous beaches. I just loved Minka who was probably my favorite character. Alex was a good strong main character and I have some high hopes for her and Jack the police lieutenant.

The killer was a total surprise to me, what a great twist! I love how so many things are possible when it’s a magical world. The story about Alex’s mom seems to be one that might stay around for awhile until it’s completely resolved, but that’s fine. The main mystery was solved, and the side mystery gives us a little something to look forward to.

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

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A Deadly Inside Scoop review

May 10, 2020May 10, 2020 Tari Hann

This is the first book in a brand new series by Abby Collette, who some may recognize as Abby L. Vandiver who writes the Logan Dickerson, Tiny House and Romaine Wilder series. Having not had a chance yet to enjoy these series, I was very happy to get the chance to read this book where I discovered some new favorite characters. Ice cream in winter time? Bring it on! Thanks to Abby herself and Berkley Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book from NetGalley!

My Goodreads review:

A Deadly Inside Scoop by Abby Collette

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was an awesome first for this new series, and I really love these characters! I think my faves were Maisie and PopPop. It was hilarious to read about Win and Maisie sleuthing together with sensible, non-risk taking Win trying her best to keep Maisie out of trouble. When their other bestie Riya joined in and beat up a guy, sleuthing was just taken to a new level with them. PopPop made a good ice cream shop helper, since he’d founded the place to begin with, but he was also a pretty good snooping partner and drove Win to where he felt like she needed to ask questions.

A few clues toward the end led me to think about guessing who the killer was, and I was on the right track. The showdown was a good one, and PopPop got to help too. I was so happy to see the ice cream shop’s success under Win’s new management and that a sleuth came home for once just because she wanted to be with her family, not to escape some loser guy she’d broken up with or divorced. I’m anxious to see what other adventures Win and her friends and family get into.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own. The book releases this Tuesday, May 12, 2020.

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Murder in the Wine Country review

May 4, 2020May 4, 2020 Tari Hann

This is the sixth book in the Kelly Jackson series by Janet Finsilver. I remember the first book being one of the first cozies I read and borrowed from Overdrive. The series has continued to be awesome, and I can’t say enough about how I love the Silver Sentinels, the mystery-solving group that adopted Kelly as a member even though she’s quite a bit younger than they are. Book 6 definitely didn’t disappoint and had quite a few exciting scenes.

My Goodreads review:

Murder in the Wine Country by Janet Finsilver

This was one of the most exciting books in the series with several places where I just couldn’t read fast enough to see what happened. Needless to say, reading this book makes a person not want to budge and do anything else. I really enjoyed that Kelly’s boss Michael got a much bigger part in this book than I ever remember from before. His work with the veterans especially those with PTSD was so admirable, and being the nice guy that he was, he never tried to talk up his own achievements.

I had the killer pegged fairly early on, but my reason was completely off. It was really cool how three couples may have been brought together by this whole ordeal. And as always, I just love the seniors who make up the Silver Sentinels, the group that welcomed Kelly into their meetings and enjoyed a good investigation. They definitely had their hands full this time with a murder, missing persons, someone being framed and plant poaching.

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The Diva Spices It Up review

May 3, 2020May 3, 2020 Tari Hann

This is the thirteenth book in the Domestic Diva series by Krista Davis. This is one of my favorite series by one of my many favorite authors, and I really enjoyed this installment a lot. It was great how everyone worked together on this case, sort of a multi-generational case! There were some side mysteries, but it all came together nicely.

My Goodreads review:

The Diva Spices It Up by Krista Davis

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Like all the Domestic Diva series, this was a really fun read. I loved how the two senior ladies in town, Eunice and Francie teamed up as investigators too. Sophie’s friend Wolf, the police sergeant has been conferring with her on different investigations, and it’s always cool how Sophie and all her friends get involved in the mysteries.

Sophie was working as a cookbook ghostwriter for a wealthy former actress who loved cooking. There were all kinds of great red herrings, possible spies? Well, it was the DC area, and that was to be expected, but sweet little Eunice surprised Sophie with her knowledge of said spies. I just love that lady! I always enjoy how the entire mystery from start to finish all comes together at the end. Readers get the entire explanation instead of just Sophie’s conjectures, and there was the usual back-to-life scene at the end. Until next time, Sophie and pals! Although I have most of the series I still have to catch up on, since I came in on it in the middle so I could go to an online book chat. Lots of fun yet to be had!

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

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Six Cloves Under review

April 20, 2020 Tari Hann

This is the first book in a brand new series by Gin Jones, and it releases tomorrow, Tuesday April 21, 2020. I was’t sure how I’d like it, because honestly, I’m not a huge fan of garlic other than having it in different recipes. But I found a whole new group of characters to like, well I’m still warming up to Mabel as she warms up to humanity in general lol. I love that cat that she adopted, Pixie’s a good alarm.

I read on Goodreads that the author is working on the third book. Now that I’ve read the first, I’m really anxious to get hold of the second, but I’m sure realistically that won’t happen until next year at this time. (Or hopefully sooner!) I ordered this book but read and reviewed an ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

My Goodreads review:

Six Cloves Under by Gin Jones

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a much different main character than I’ve ever read about as well as a different profession both in her day job and inherited farm job. At first, I didn’t like her much at all. I mean, who doesn’t like hugs? I’m a big introvert, but I like hugging people that are important to me. But as the book progressed, I found that I was agreeing with some of her lines of thinking, and I was even chuckling a little at her dry sense of humor that was sprinkled here and there. Mabel was basically a good person at heart, and I found myself thinking “atta girl” different times as she discovered the right thing to do for all these people who had loved her aunt so much. She was sort of like a computer or robot who did have a human heart after all.

I think Rory was probably my favorite character, because she was just an all-around great friend to people but didn’t take lip from anyone or excuses. She seemed like a good mom to her daughter, Dawn too. I can actually see Mabel becoming close friends with her and maybe even friends with Emily. The showdown with the killer was awesome and one I could just picture! I was surprised at the killer but in a way, not really. Now I’m anxious to read on and see what happens next, although I have no idea when the next book might be out.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own. The book releases tomorrow, April 21, 2020.

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Pulp Friction review

April 11, 2020 Tari Hann

This is the second book in another new favorite series, Cider Shop Mysteries by author Julie Anne Lindsey. I’m proud that’s she’s a fellow Ohioan! I really loved this installment of the series and getting to know the characters just a little better. I get a little upset with Winnie sometimes and how she continually defies Colton, the sheriff who now only wants her to be safe. I don’t think she really thinks about being in danger when she impulsively acts. She’s got a heart as big as all outdoors though, and I would still be happy to call someone like her a friend.

My Goodreads review:

Pulp Friction by Julie Anne Lindsey

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’m really loving this series thinking this book might just be better than the first one. It definitely had a lot of action going, and Granny got to have a good part in the take down with her friend Delilah. Those two crack me up, and Granny is so funny how she pretends she doesn’t like a man named Owen who loves to come and see her.

Once the book was to a certain point, my suspicions about someone being the killer got stronger. I fell for some of the red herrings along the way. The showdown was exciting, and everything was explained at one point or another…except for a couple of details that I found out toward the end. I don’t want to spoil anything but there’s part of a side story that will hopefully continue through the next book. I’m really hoping we don’t have to wait a whole year. The first book was published last October, this one gets published April 28, so I’m really hoping for another book this fall or winter. I have this Kindle book on order but couldn’t resist reading an early copy of it a couple of weeks ahead.

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

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Dead on the Vine review

April 4, 2020 Tari Hann

This is the very first book in a new series by Elle Brooke White called the Finn Family Farm Mysteries featuring a woman named Charlotte who inherited a produce farm from her great-uncle Tobias. There were a lot of secrets to be discovered, but with the help of her two besties that she grew up with, Charlotte managed to figure out what was going on. I’m really looking forward to the next book after a very satisfying ending with this one.

My Goodreads review:

Dead on the Vine by Elle Brooke White

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh my goodness, I gotta say first that I absolutely loved that little pig named Horse! What a little sweetheart. My favorite human character was hands-down Mr. Beau Mason. He was such a hoot and so funny! This book was very well-written, so much so that it could be called written beautifully with the epilogue sounding like the end of a very sweet fairy tale. Although I thought that some of the dialogue sounded a little weird and unrealistic coming from people of any age. It sounded as if they were trying out a lot of new vocabulary words. I guess that was just the writing style, which I eventually got used to.

I wasn’t sure at all who the killer was until Charlotte started putting clues together. I loved that police chief! She was fun, laid-back but knew her job and did it well. She didn’t take lip from anyone, especially the town bully, Wade. I always especially enjoy a book if the main character and the police work together to set up a sting. The ending reminded me of a detective show with all the suspects gathered. When I first started the book, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but by the end of it, I was totally into these characters, and now I’m really anxious for the next book.

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

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