cozy mystery – Page 60 – Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

Read on Arrival–review

May 28, 2019May 28, 2019 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Bookmobile Mystery series by Nora Page. I just love the idea of an old school bus refurbished into a bookmobile and had read the first book last year. I loved both of the books and can definitely say that Cleo and Henry are two of my favorite cozy couples. Mary-Rose is a great bestie. She’s not quite the ride-along type of sidekick some besties are, but she keeps Cleo informed. Gabby the deputy and Cleo’s favorite neighbor is a sweetheart, who wouldn’t love her for a neighbor? I had a great time reading this one and just like before, I’m really looking forward to the next book!

My Goodreads review:

Read on Arrival by Nora Page

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I just loved this book! Cleo and Henry have got to be the most adorable couple, and Cleo is the most loyal and brave friend that anyone could want. The library’s grand opening was coming soon when the library board president brought in a lady named Belle with crazy and outrageous ideas–like that books were clutter (this woman really bugged me, I was hoping she’d be offed or the perp lol). I’d say the author did her job well, because I could not stand Belle and her Airstream flashing-lights bookless-mobile. When the town diva and the patron with the longest overdue book was found dead in her home by Cleo and Henry, Cleo was one of the suspects. She did manage to get to the bottom of everything and restore her good name. I guessed the killer because of cleverly-placed clues by the author, but it was a lot of fun to see Cleo track the perp down. I have to hand it to Cleo, because she doesn’t do anything alone, and she’s very good about alerting the local deputy, who happens to be her neighbor, Gabby. I can’t wait for the next book!

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Dead with the Wind–review

May 26, 2019 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Southern Ladies series written by Miranda James, the pen name for Dean James. He also writes the Cat in the Stacks series, and sometimes the two overlap with Diesel visiting the sisters (like he did in the first book, Bless Her Dead Little Heart which one of my online book clubs will be discussing soon.) I love these sassy Southern sisters who took in young Benjy who is like a grandson to them now. His pets, Peanut the Goldendoodle and Endora the Abyssinian cat, are pretty awesome too. My favorite part of this book was the showdown and what happened right before it.

My Goodreads review:

Dead with the Wind by Miranda James

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I had read the first book in this series last year and had been wanting to continue the series, because I’d enjoyed my first trip to Athena MS so much. This book took place mostly in Louisiana with the sisters An’gel and Dickce traveling with Benjy and the pets to a wedding of An’gel’s cousin’s daughter. When the bride died under suspicious circumstances, An’gel and her sister started investigating. There was an a really cool and unexpected twist toward the end which led to an even better and more satisfying showdown with a killer.

I just love these two ladies! And Benjy their ward is the sweetest guy ever. Peanut and Endora are pretty special too. Endora was good at warning people and Peanut was always good for a hug or doggie snuggle when a little girl who just lost her mama needed it. I’ll look forward to when I can read the next in the series.

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Pies and Prejudice–review

May 23, 2019 Tari Hann

This is the first in the Charmed Pie Shoppe series by well-known author Ellery Adams and was one of her older series that I wanted to work on and try to finish, maybe even this year yet. I love the whole idea of a pie shop, but pies that give people just the perfect joy or hope that they need are even more awesome. Then if the pie maker channels her own feelings, sometimes the results can be pretty funny depending on what her feelings were when she made the pie. 😉 I had read the fourth book last year sometime, but I had definitely wanted to come back and start at the beginning.

My Goodreads review:

Pies and Prejudice by Ellery Adams

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’d been wanting to start this series from the beginning ever since one of the book clubs I’m in had a discussion on the fourth book in the series. I love anything by this author to begin with, and I wanted to know every character’s story from the beginning. I love how her books are not just mystery driven, but they’re also character and family-driven. Sometimes the characters are a little broken and help each other heal, and sometimes they’re family in the togetherness sense, maybe not related. In this series, the family is all related. Ella Mae had come back to Havenwood, Georgia to open a pie shop and be with all her beloved aunts, mom and long-time friend, Reba (who is such a hoot and by far my favorite character! She reminds me of the actual singer/actress Reba from her TV show).

I wasn’t sure of the killer, but once the reveal came, it made a lot of sense. Ella and Reba were both at the showdown, and it was amazing. I always enjoy that the author doesn’t just stop when the murder is solved. We always get to learn more about the characters and see every little thing neatly finished. Ella learned something about herself and now I’m anxious to read more just to see how she works through all this new knowledge.

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A Deadly Feast–review

May 21, 2019 Tari Hann

This is the 9th book in the Key West Food Critic written by well-known author Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleib. Being a Key West resident herself, she’s an awesome storyteller when it comes to all things Key West. Her writing style is fun even if she’s not talking about Key West. I’m not exactly caught up yet in the series, but I’ve read enough of it to really think of these characters as friends.

My Goodreads review:

A Deadly Feast by Lucy Burdette

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The long-awaited wedding of Nathan and Hayley has a pretty exciting few days prior to it. Hayley was worried sick about Nathan who was on a secret sting operation along with most of the police force in town. A woman on a foodie tour she’d attended ended up dying from a stroke, and a local chef named Martha was hiding a huge secret and feeling guilty as well. Hayley had to rely on her intuition once again, and this time it was for something even more important. Topping all of that off was the fact that their houseboat contractor had basically bailed on them, and now Hayley and Nathan wouldn’t be able to move in until it was finished once she found another contractor.

These characters are like old friends to me now even though I’ve not read most of the beginning books–I’m still intending to do that though. Probably my favorite characters aside from Nathan and Hayley themselves would be Miss Gloria (what a hoot! I want to be like her when I’m 80!) and Steve, Nathan’s fellow officer who is also an ordained minister. He always seems to have just the right thing to say to make the situation better. There are some awesome-sounding recipes at the end of the book, lots of them! Of course, I’m always partial to how the desserts sound!

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Prologue to Murder–review

May 11, 2019 Tari Hann

I really enjoyed this second book in the Beyond the Page Bookshop series by Lauren Elliott and loved the whole pirate and ghost walk theme they were having for their Greyborne Founders Day festival. The next one has to do with Christmas, so I’m even more anxious to read that one.

My Goodreads review:

Prologue to Murder by Lauren Elliott

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was one book that was very hard to put down! There was always something going on that I just had to keep reading to find out. Addie Greyborne had become comfortable with her sort-of boyfriend police chief Marc Chandler who happened to be her bestie Serena’s brother when his ex-fiancee showed up in town acting like she wanted to pick up where they’d left off. It was awfully coincidental that Lacey’s arrival also had started some awful rumors about Addie floating around town via a gossip column in the paper by a Miss Newsy.

When the body of a local librarian was found, Miss Newsy managed to hint that Addie may have had something to do with that, so of course Addie wasn’t going to stand around not defending her name. There was a new handsome guy tossed into the picture in this story too, a doctor who was now the new coroner, and Addie felt herself liking both him and Marc. Despite all their ups and downs, Addie and Marc solved the case, and he had to admit that her gut instincts were correct. I didn’t really guess the killer until some clues started pointing that way. There were a lot of great red herrings to be distracted by too. I’m not sure where Addie’s love life is headed, but it’ll be interesting to see which guy she eventually ends up with. Each one is good for her in their own ways. I enjoyed the preview given at the end of the book for the next book coming out in October.

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

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Murder in Galway–review

May 11, 2019 Tari Hann

This is the first book in a brand new series by Carlene O’Connor who already has the Irish Village series that I’ve been wanting to read. It’s very apparent that she’s spent a lot of time in Ireland. I read it in her bio, but her writing is more than just research, you can tell she was there and is telling what she knows about. I really enjoyed this first book and look forward to the next. This book is an exclusive available only through Barnes and Noble until April 30, 2020.

My Goodreads review:

Murder In Galway by Carlene O’Connor

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the first book I’ve read by this author, but it definitely won’t be the last, since I’ve been wanting to read her other Irish series. I’ve never been to Ireland, but her descriptions are done so well that I was actually able to picture the cottage and all the different places that Tara went. She definitely had her work cut out for her with her uncle missing and walking in on a dead body. When she found another body later, Tara was determined to clear her uncle’s name.

There were a lot of great suspects, clues and suspense. I had no idea who the killer was, and the showdown was great, even though it was a bit tense. I like Tara’s possible love interest and will be interested in reading the next book and seeing her uncle shop become a reality.

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

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Sifting Through Clues–review

May 9, 2019 Tari Hann

This is the eighth book in the Cookbook Nook series by Daryl Wood Gerber. It’s definitely one of my favorite cozy series, and I just love the characters, especially Aunt Vera! This latest installment definitely didn’t disappoint, and like always, I didn’t guess the killer. Daryl has the red herring art down to a science, that’s for sure. There are quite a few in the series that I haven’t read yet, but aside from knowing some of the future things already, I can easily go back and catch up.

My Goodreads review:

Sifting Through Clues by Daryl Wood Gerber

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What an awesome roller coaster ride of a book! Just when I thought I knew who did it, another red herring would distract me. Jenna definitely had her hands full this time with her friend Bailey ready to deliver any week now, a book club festival event, and now the murder of one of the town shop owners.

I loved the whole book club theme–how awesome would it be to have tents and tents of book sellers at a festival? Pepper had a side story going on with a guy she’d been dating, and Cinnamon had a story as well with someone from her past and her mom’s past showing up in town. Jenna wondered if it had anything to do with the murder. The showdown happened in the Nook Cafe and it was pretty epic. For once, Jenna wasn’t alone with the perp or having to figure out how to fend them off. Cinnamon again had to grudgingly thank her for her help. The end of the book was so sweet. Bailey and Tito became parents. Aunt Vera had a wonderful surprise for Jenna and Rhett…because she’s just awesome that way!

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The Body in the Wetlands–review

May 3, 2019 Tari Hann

This is the second cozy mystery in the Jazzi Zanders series by Judi Lynn, who is usually a romance writer. It’s always interesting to see what kind of house flip that Jazzi and her cousin Jerod are working on, along with Jazzi’s hot boyfriend, Ansel who longs to be so much more than just a live-in boyfriend. The mystery again was very good and I hadn’t figured it out due to the great red herrings the author planted. I like Jazzi a lot. She’s a strong character, doesn’t take garbage from anyone–and she’s smart enough to always set her security system and lock doors. I’ve already preordered book 3! Oh, George the pug got a couple of tiny roommates in this book. No worries, he likes cats. 😉

My Goodreads review:

The Body in the Wetlands by Judi Lynn

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jazzi Zanders had hoped that finding a body in the attic of their last renovation house was the last time that would happen, but of course, no such luck. When an elderly neighbor of her sister’s disappeared, his dog led Jazzi to a shallow grave of two other people, one of whom had been missing for a few weeks. It was only a guess as to what could have happened to the older man. Once again, Jazzi was called on by Det. Gaff to go with him and ask questions. He does seem like a detective who is easy to please, but he’s no slacker on his job and shows up promptly when Jazzi needs to talk to him. It was cute how he and his wife came to Jazzi’s pond to go swimming.

I hadn’t really guessed completely who the killer was, but by the near-showdown, I knew although I still didn’t know why. Thanks to a smart move by Jazzi, nothing happened. I kind of like when the arrest is made off-screen so to speak. It’s a little different. Everything was neatly wrapped up and the good detective once again thanked Jazzi, Ansel and Jerod. It seems odd that Gaff doesn’t have an actual police partner, but hey it’s fiction and it’s different and a little unique. These characters are becoming like old friends to return to. I especially like the Sunday meals that Jazzi and her family shares at her house. I’m looking forward to the next book!

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The Diva Sweetens the Pie–review

May 2, 2019 Tari Hann

This is the 12th book in the Domestic Diva series by Krista Davis, who is also known for her Paws & Claws series (another of my favorites!). I love all the Diva books I’ve read (I’m sadly not caught up in the series, but I keep requesting the ARCs as they come out) and of those few, I think this was one of my favorites so far. I love how Sophie and her friends work together any time, but this book seemed even more special. I think you’ll enjoy it!

My Goodreads review:

The Diva Sweetens the Pie by Krista Davis

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely loved this book! I’ve come to really care about Sophie and all her friends and love that the books aren’t just about solving mysteries, but they also show how much she and her friends care for one another and stick together. This adventure had Sophie pulled into a murder investigation and then into a murder that happened five years ago. Who could resist an adorable little girl who asks her to help get her wrongly-accused mom out of prison? When Sophie started getting too close to the truth, someone she cared for a lot was brutally attacked and left for dead. Later, she found out some information that gave her a new perspective on some things in her life.

I hadn’t suspected the killer until all the clues started coming together. As usual in this author’s books, the list of suspects was impressive and so were the red herrings. The showdown was epic! Sophie and her friends were all there for it, and I think I like that a lot as opposed to perp and sleuth one-on-one, which is what happens most of the time. It was great how things were wrapped up nice and neat at an end-of-summer party at Sophie’s house. All the little details that may or may not have added to the murder were explained, and Sophie’s belief that she did the right thing by investigating the old case was definitely confirmed.

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Murder from Scratch–review

April 26, 2019 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the Santz Cruz-based series Sally Solari written by Leslie Karst. I’m actually up to date for once in a series, so I’m always anxious to read the latest in this one. I really enjoy all these diverse characters, especially the new character of Evelyn, Sally’s cousin who found her mother dead in their house. I hope that Evelyn gets to pop in from time to time. She and Sally seemed to make a good pair when it came to brainstorming the murder and a side crime that had been going on.

My Goodreads review:

Murder from Scratch: A Sally Solari Mystery by Leslie Karst

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sally found herself playing host to her blind cousin Evelyn after Evelyn had come home to find her mother’s dead body. After poking around the house a little and hearing about how a suicide note was worded, Evelyn was completely sure her mom hadn’t committed suicide, and she wanted Sally to help her prove it. This was an exciting case that had several good suspects, red herrings along the way, and just when I thought we were being double-red herringed into thinking it was one person, I was still wrong, but it was a fun ride. The showdown was great and Sally really kept her brains about her and made some pretty smart moves and observations, one of which involved a fork in the perp’s face.

During the case, Sally and Det. Vargas started being on a first-name basis, so maybe we’ll get to see them go a on a few dates eventually. He seemed to appreciate her and Evelyn’s help in this investigation. Sally’s dad even found a lady to date. It’ll be interesting to see what happens next. I really enjoyed the character of Evelyn! She was a strong young woman and an amazing cook, which told Sally from the get-go that they’d get along famously when her dad asked her to take Evelyn in for a few weeks. It’s always a fun trip to Santa Cruz!

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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