cozy mystery – Page 76 – Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

Wagging Through the Snow–review

June 22, 2018June 22, 2018 Tari Hann

I took a little detour from the Supper Club series I’ve been reading (no worries, I will get right back to it) when my daughter and I ran into town. She wanted to do some writing at the library so I tagged along and brought one of the books I took out a few days ago, which was this book, the 21st book in the Melanie Travis series by Laurien Berenson. I love dogs so it’s no surprise that a Melanie Travis book (Death of a Dog Whisperer, #17 in the series) was one of the first cozy mysteries I had ever read–before I had actually heard of cozy mysteries and knew it was a thing. I finished this quickly so I’ll be getting back to James Henry and friends soon! 😉

My Goodreads review:

Wagging through the Snow by Laurien Berenson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a really fun and fairly quick read set at Christmastime. I’m not quite as strict with myself in reading this series in order since for one thing, this was only my second I’ve read but I had read the 17th book before I even realized it was a series. Probably the only downside to not starting at the top would be not following the family development in order but it’s easy to pick up on while reading.

Melanie Travis’s brother Frank is Mel’s ex-husband’s (Bob) business partner and when he bought a Christmas tree farm without consulting Bob, Melanie thought he was nuts. When they all went to see it, they ran across the dead body of a homeless guy who people had only known as Pete. Of course Aunt Peg was always up for snooping so they went to where Frank had said Pete must have been staying, a shack on the property. Melanie found a class ring and starting with that, she was able to unravel a lot of things about Pete’s life, some more confusing than others. Contrary to the town he lived in saying he was always a drunk, Pete’s sponsor in sobering up swore that he had changed. Melanie felt the need to continue to prove that Pete was murdered.

I haven’t read enough of these to really have a favorite character except for Aunt Peg. I guess because she’s such a strong character. I kind of remember in the first book I read I wasn’t sure if I liked her or not but she sure saved the day in this book! I had honestly not figured out the killer. The book was quick to read but well-written and plotted out. Sometimes I like to read a book that moves a little bit faster and of course I’m always a sucker for Christmas themes. I saw this at my library on the new shelf and since I’m always in favor of telling libraries I love cozy mysteries, I couldn’t resist getting it. I do want to read more in the series, maybe I will actually start at the beginning who knows!

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Black Beans and Vice–review

June 22, 2018June 22, 2018 Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in the Supper Club series that was given a complete overhaul and now has recipes in each book. There were several memorable things happening in this book and as you’ll see from my Goodreads review below, I didn’t even do a regular synopsis for fear of spoiling something in case someone just surfed in and got this review without reading the others. To get the most enjoyment from the series, I would totally recommend reading it in order.

My Goodreads review:

Black Beans & Vice by Ellery Adams

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The series is just progressively getting better as everyone’s story unfolds and relationships develop while friendships continue to grow. This story was very bittersweet in some spots but the parties involved ended up with a happily ever after or a very nice outcome. There was one little thing that remains hanging but I have no doubt that since it’s been spread over several books, it’ll be resolved soon. A couple of my faves were in physical danger for a bit but all became ok again.

I’m not going to write my usual synopsis since there are quite a few little subplots that I don’t want to spoil for anyone but instead of the usual small mystery happening at the library, something was going on in Jane and James’s lives that had to be taken care of. I didn’t guess the killer at all in the main mystery and even though there was no official showdown except for Lucy telling the story, sometimes I like it that way. The police have handled it, our friends aren’t in danger. I really love that Lucy became a deputy since it’s caused the sheriff’s department to put more faith in the five friends than they would have in the beginning. Lucy’s a good deputy too and she fiercely protects her friends while doing everything within the law. I think they might have come to a truce with Murphy as well!

Moving along to the seventh and final (for now, I hope there will be more!) book.

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Stiffs and Swine–review

June 21, 2018June 21, 2018 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the Supper Club series by Ellery Adams which has quickly become one of my favorite series for both the mystery itself and the camaraderie of the five people who have become fast friends, literally through thick and through thin. If you scroll back to May, you’ll see my review for the fifth book which I’m going to go back and go over a bit on my own before proceeding to the sixth book. This one had a very sweet and a little bit of a leaky-eye ending if you like that kind of sweetness. Not overkill just really cool!

My Goodreads review:

Stiffs and Swine by J.B. Stanley

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It was late summer in Quincy’s Gap and our five friends had been invited to be guests of honor at a neighboring town’s Hog Fest. They were going to judge the hogs in a dress-up contest and also help at the pie eating contest. When one of the barbecue contestants, a loud obnoxious man named Jimmy, was found dead in his camper, Gillian was taken in for questioning since she had had a meltdown with this guy the day before. Since Lucy was a deputy, her help was more welcomed by Sheriff Jade Jones (Bennett developed a crush on her) than the rest but overall, the police there were friendly enough and did their job without being condescending like Donovan at Lucy’s home station was known for. James and Lucy’s former relationship was still a little strained but they still functioned well together as mystery-solving friends. James had felt himself drifting a little from Murphy since she seemed to have changed. Then she told him she’d signed a book contract. She’d been writing about murders in their town but said the characters were loosely based on them. Bennett was definitely not amused when he heard that.

On the home front, Scott and Francis at the library had a little mystery of their own which really ended up so awesome at the end! What a cool little sting operation they pulled with James’s, Lucy’s and Mrs. Hasting’s help. Jackson and Milla had become much closer and James was pleased to find out his dad had proposed to this lovely lady that he’d become so comfortable being around as a mother figure. During the trip, Bennett had been studying very hard for his chance on Jeopardy. When they got home, James had one more thing to take care of with Murphy. Even his beloved bookmobile that had broken down earlier got a happy ending.

I don’t think this mystery was so much focused on guessing the killer because at one point, everyone pretty much knew who, now they had to figure out how to nail the person. The showdown was pretty exciting and James got to be in the spotlight. Gillian was happy to have her freedom and had told the whole story about why she’d had that meltdown a few days ago with the obnoxious barbecue man. She got to do something that was very generous as well as suggesting something very generous as well. That’s what I love about all these people. Despite their personal demons, faults or whatever you want to call them, they are true friends to one another. Who wouldn’t love to be friends with any one of this awesome Flab Five group?

I’ve read the next book but may go over it quickly before moving on to the sixth book. At least I have a good two-book fix for awhile for this series, since the seventh one has recently come out!

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Chili con Corpses–review

June 20, 2018June 20, 2018 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Supper Club series by well-known author Ellery Adams. Last month I had jumped out of series order a little to read the fifth in the series but I went right back to where I needed to be by reading this book. It does help explain some things in book five or at least gave me a little insight into things that happen in book five. The author does a good job of catching readers up just in case they do read these as a standalone though. I always love the very relatable characters in this series and their unique friendship that stands whether or not they’re actively working on weight loss.

My Goodreads review:

Chili con Corpses by Ellery Adams

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this installment, our Flab Five friends have decided to take a cooking class one day a week as their break from all the constant dieting they’d been doing. Lucy was working hard to pass the last leg of the deputy’s exam which caused a big change in James and Lucy’s relationship. He found himself drawn to Murphy Alistair, the newspaper editor who in the past hadn’t been a very nice person to them but in this book, she sort of became the 6th person in their supper club. When one of the teachers at Lindy’s school was murdered during a cave field trip, the state police were called in but the friends decided to do what they did best together, figure out who the killer was. I loved how they set up a sting operation at the end. I had suspected the person who ended up as the killer but didn’t know the reason till the clues all were revealed and fell into place.

Since meeting Milla, who ran the cooking class, James thought bringing her around to meet his dad would be a good idea and it was. Jackson seemed to enjoy how she liked spoiling him with her cooking and he seemed a little less reclusive. I really like Milla and since I read ahead a few books a few months ago, I am happy about what happens eventually. I got a kick out of Bennett’s New Year’s resolution to try out for Jeopardy, he definitely knows a lot of trivia.

What made this seem so realistic was Lucy sort of pulling away from everyone for awhile to devote time to working out and passing the deputy exam. In real life, friend groups always experience that. They have their ups and downs. I like how all these people are always willing to accept the strayed friend back or welcome new friends. Murphy was just seeming too good to be true so it’ll be interesting to see what happens next. She was very useful in helping to solve this mystery though. Relationships are never perfect so I think it’s pretty true to life how she and James’ relationship tends to fade.

On to book four now!

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Pawprints & Predicaments

June 19, 2018June 19, 2018 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Lucky Paws Pet Sitting series by Bethany Blake, which is another one of my favorite series since there are so many dogs in it. I like cats in books but I can’t say I’m a fan of Daphne’s adopted cat, Tinkleston, since he’s like an attack kitty most times. I do love little Artie the chihuahua though and in this book we got to meet another big old sweetie, Bernie, the St. Bernard. This was a fun book to read while the temperature was in the 90s where I live. I can look outside and think “wow I’m glad I’m not freezing like the people in this book!” 😉

The 4th book (which I’ve already pre-ordered) is “A Midwinter’s Tail” and shows an adorable Pug on the cover! Can’t wait to find out whose pup he is! It releases in November!

My Goodreads review:

Pawprints & Predicaments by Bethany Blake

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I always love returning to Sylvan Creek to visit with Daphne and her dog Socrates that lives up to his philosopher name.

It was January and the annual Tail Waggin’ Winterfest was underway along with Daphne trying to get her pet bakery grand opening set up. When she discovered the body of a TV executive in the water during the polar plunge, there was no shortage of suspects and Daphne was worried that she’d be tossed into that mix if she didn’t do something to help find the real killer. It wasn’t much help when her friend Jonathan the detective removed himself from the case since his ex-wife happened to be one of the suspects. There were a lot of great twists and turns to get to the killer, which in this case I definitely hadn’t guessed. I love how Socrates got to help at the end, which wrapped up with the eventual pet bakery grand opening.

As always, Artie the hyper chihuahua stole my heart with his adorable love of clothes and how he is always so happy. That little guy just seems so cute, I want to hug him, slobber and all. He had a very interesting costume this time for the Cardboard Iditarod parade at the Winterfest. I liked the new dog character, Bernie, too. He was St. Bernard that just happened to show up and pull the body from the lake which carried the legend of a ghost St. Bernard. Bernie was definitely real, all 10 gallons of slobber and probably 200 pounds of dog. I love how his story turned out as well. Tinks, the badly behaved cat that Daphne adopted in the last book was not too thrilled with her fostering Bernie for awhile.

I’ve heard there are definitely more books coming in this series but I’m happy to be caught up for now and (not so) patiently wait for the next! If you love pets…and some great recipes for them which can be found at the end of the book…you’ll love this series.

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The Diva Cooks Up a Storm–review

June 17, 2018June 17, 2018 Tari Hann

This is the eleventh book in the Domestic Diva series by well-known author, Krista Davis. She also writes another of my favorite series, Paws and Claws. I am determined to read more of this series but as of now, I’ve only read this one and the fourth book, a Halloween theme mystery. She tells a great story, adds in a little history and always has some good plot twists!

My Goodreads review:

The Diva Cooks up a Storm by Krista Davis

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was only the second Diva book that I’ve read but I absolutely loved it! Krista Davis has an amazing way to weave a really interesting mystery with some history and lots of great characters who could be suspects. Even though I had only read one other book, it didn’t take me long to get to know the characters so this could totally be read as a stand alone if anyone wanted to. Although the person who dies would be a bit of a spoiler if you decide to go back and read the other books. I’m still going to read those books since I don’t know how many of them this person is in and that doesn’t really bother me since they were fairly minor. I did remember the name from the Halloween book though.

When a neighbor of Sophie’s is afraid he’s being poisoned and then he ends up dead, Sophie has to wonder if his trophy wife really did do this as everyone else in town seems to think. She ended up spending time with this wife and really felt like the woman couldn’t have killed her husband. Sophie all but told the woman she’d look into things, hopefully without getting herself killed. When another body is found by Sophie and Nina, everyone gets a little more nervous.

I loved how even though Sophie has a bestie named Nina, that she’s not the only one that tries to solve mysteries with her. Sophie actually had a nice group of friends even including her ex-husband to sit around the dinner table with and discuss the possibilities of who did what. I like that they have a friendly relationship and even share custody of the dog, Daisy. I honestly don’t remember a lot about the regulars from the Halloween book but I really do like the character of Francie who seemed to be the oldest of the friends and the voice of reason. And I of course didn’t forget about Natasha who really thinks she’s a diva and a sort of friendly rival with Sophie and the event planning. Natasha was good for some great comedy relief!

There were plenty of suspects and I’m really glad that some of them didn’t end up as the killer. I really never guessed it but I had suspicions about someone all along although I wasn’t sure why. The show down was delightfully unusual too. As it turned out, two people were actually after Sophie and they were caught. The actual book ending was a lot of fun, friends and neighbors gathered around and another couple of friends made a little love connection! You’ll just have to read it and find out. I am eventually going to get through all these books but I just couldn’t resist the chance to read this ARC provided by the publisher and NetGalley. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own (disclaimer)

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Secrets and Pies–review

June 16, 2018June 16, 2018 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Callie’s Kitchen series. Now I’m caught up and anxiously waiting for book 4! These characters are just so awesome!

My Goodreads review:

Secrets and Pies by Jenny Kales

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really loved this latest book in the series! Callie and Ian are in a good place with their relationship, Callie’s pretty much come to terms with her ex and his new wife living a couple blocks away and once again, you can see just what awesome family ties there are in this series, not only with actual family but employees as well.

It was summer in Crystal Bay and business was booming for Callie’s Kitchen. Callie was involved making tons of food for the annual Greek Fest as well as handling concessions that her grandma Viv got her involved in for the Chamber of Commerce’s Beats by the Bay, a summer concert series. When Callie found a friend dead at an old house, she was devastated as was Olivia who made her mom promise to find the killer. This time Callie got Max to help her do some investigating which was almost as funny as when she went with her grandma in the first book. Max was having some personal issues and had to give Callie some bad news. George came in to help with the huge amounts of customers they’d been getting. Callie’s investigating nearly got her killed (again) but thanks to long-ago bootleggers she got the situation well in hand! The showdown with the killer was tense for awhile though! I had definitely not seen that person coming.

Everything worked out great, the ending was wrapped up nicely and Callie got a very nice surprise as well. I’ll leave it at that and you’ll just have to read it to find out! 😉 I’m so anxious for the next book to come out! I’ve really grown close to all these characters, who could not love George, the old teddy bear, who loves his daughter and granddaughter like crazy. His relationship started in the previous book seemed to be going well and I was glad everyone was on board with that. Sweetie was mentioned but I’m still hoping she pops up in another book (see book two if you don’t know who Sweetie is) I had to leave Crystal Bay pretty reluctantly knowing there isn’t yet a book to follow but I am sure there will be, hopefully soon.

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Spiced and Iced–review

June 15, 2018June 15, 2018 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Callie’s Kitchen cozy mystery series by Jenny Kales. I had read the first one back in April and decided it was time to visit Crystal Bay again even though it was Christmas there. The characters were so memorable that I had no problem remembering things about them from the first book.

My Goodreads review:

Spiced and Iced by Jenny Kales

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this Christmas themed mystery, maybe even more since where I live it’s warm and sunny today and looking outside, I don’t have to see snow lol. I enjoy Christmas themes anyway and reading about it in this awesome Greek family was just a lot of fun. The first book was set a few months before this one and since then, Callie had started seeing the police detective, Ian Sands. Her dad got a new love interest in this story which was interesting and comical at times.

Callie was supplying the cookies for a bridal shower held at the local English Country Inn. The events planner had arranged for her to do that but Callie didn’t have to worry about staying and serving. Later when Callie found that her colleague had been murdered, of course her dad and Ian were worried for her safety and she was actually worried too. It didn’t stop her from wanting to get to the bottom of things. During her investigation, she found a couple of secrets about other inn employees as well. It was pretty funny reading how her Grandma Viv and her cousin/aunt from Greece known as Sweetie had tried to snoop into the case as well. Callie worried about their safety, but as Max said, Viv could probably give Jessica Fletcher some pointers.

Callie’s ex-husband and his new wife, Hugh and Raine are a small part of this book. I like that Callie has been able to deal with their marriage but she was having some issues with them coming to Crystal Bay to live even though she realized that Olivia would love having her dad live close by. Everything worked out in the end, which by the way, was pretty epic since Callie got to chase someone down with a snowplow. I can somehow picture that happening in a mystery on TV.

I still just love the character of Grandma Viv. She’s just everything a family would want in a grandma. She’s got their best interests and safety at heart without thinking about her own. And Sweetie was a hoot too! She enjoyed coming to Wisconsin for a real white Christmas but was glad to be returning to Greece by New Year’s since she missed the warm weather. It would be fun if she turned up in another book. I can see her with Viv doing more investigating for Callie lol.

I’ll be moving on to the third book soon! I really enjoy this series and also the yummy recipes found at the end of the book!

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Clammed Up–review

June 13, 2018June 13, 2018 Tari Hann

This is the first book in the poplar Maine Clambake, written by Maine native, Barbara Ross. I was so glad to have a nudge in getting this series started. Another book club I’m in on Facebook is discussing the book this weekend. Now I know why people are so crazy about this series!

My Goodreads review:

Clammed Up by Barbara Ross

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I finally got to start this series that I’ve been collecting and I really enjoyed this first book! I’m definitely looking forward to reading the rest. I probably won’t be caught up by the time the latest one comes out, but at least I have a start at it!

Julia Snowden quit her job in Manhattan to come home and help her brother-in-law Sonny salvage the Snowden Family Clambake in Busman’s Harbor, Maine. Her dad had passed five years ago but she found out after living with her mom after she got back, that she hadn’t really gotten over it too well. The new clambake season was just getting started with a clambake for a wedding when the body of the best man was found hanging in the mansion that stood on the island. Later, after being allowed to open in a day, a fire had started on the mansion’s porch so they were closed again. Since the business was already on shaky ground and the police couldn’t tell her when they’d be back open, Julia took it on herself to start investigating and hopefully find out who killed Ray the best man. If she couldn’t do that soon, she had a feeling that the clambake would have to close for good.

I really enjoyed getting to know all these characters! I think one of my favorites was Gus, the owner of the local diner who only allowed locals in. It didn’t seem like a very profitable way to do business but I guess that was just Gus. He didn’t have a lot to say but when he did, what he said was meaningful. I wasn’t sure if I liked the character of Sonny or not (he’s married to Livvie, Julia’s sister) but by the end of the book, he did seem like a more friendly and likable person. Some people in this mystery weren’t what they seemed to be at all as I found out towards the end which was pretty exciting. Everything was well-explained since it ended with a special clambake for all the local friends and police.

I’ll definitely be reading the rest of the series!

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Death at First Sight–review

June 7, 2018 Tari Hann

This is the first book in the Bay Island Psychic series by Lena Gregory. I had read and reviewed her newest series’ All Day Breakfast Cafe first book “Scone Cold Killer” back in January and really enjoyed that one.

I’ve had this book for awhile but what helped me get kick-started into this series is that a group of twelve awesome authors known as the Cozy Mystery Crew on Facebook, have put together a Summer Reading list and a special group just for that, summer reading. Participants read (for this club anyway) only books written by the crew of twelve (a fair request, I think, it’s their club). They provided a list made on Goodreads of thirty-four books we can pick from. The best part is that if we’ve already read any of the books on the list so far this calendar year, we can count them. There will be an online party with giveaways for anyone participating. I always love an excuse to whittle away at my TBR! 😉 I might not make it through all the books on the list but I’ll give it a good try and finishing them all isn’t the authors’ goals anyway.

The picture is of a Leonbarger dog which is what Beast in the story is. I found one as close to the cover of the book as I could.

My Goodreads review:

Death at First Sight by Lena Gregory

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I had a feeling I would enjoy this book and I was right–and I’m not even a psychic lol. I thought it was a fun concept that a former psychiatrist has taken on acting the part of a psychic and more times than not, she uses her intuition and training to read people than something truly mystical.

Cass Donovan was minding her own business working her own little business and helping out good friend Bee Maxwell with his upcoming fashion show rehearsals when she discovered the body of Marge, a very disagreeable woman that she’d just had a public argument with. Cass had done a reading for Marge’s daughter, Ellie and Marge was livid about it. Sheriff Langdon immediately pinned the murder on her but somehow wasn’t going to arrest her. Cass needed to get to the bottom of the case and clear her name before she ended up in jail for something she didn’t do. That’s where her two best friends, Stephanie (who happened to be married to a tough but nice officer named Tank) and Bee, the guy having the fashion show.

I really like all these main characters! Cass has two of the very best friends in the world in Steph and Bee. They’re loyal and kind, even though as a police officer’s wife, Steph feels she has to warn Cass about investigating. Bee was such a hoot, very flamboyant and dramatic as well as hilarious. I liked the newcomer to town, Luke, who seemed to have a few secrets of his own that I won’t spoil. You’ll just have to read and find out. Oh and who could forget Beast, who was very well named by Cass and her friends. He was really just a sweet puppy but he could be protecting when he needed to be.

The end twist was pretty epic. I sure never saw it coming and the whole showdown was really awesome. I never would have guessed the killer in a million years, great plot twist. Everything got explained and worked out well at the end. I have the next two books so I’m definitely going to be reading them over the course of this summer.

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