cozy mystery – Page 8 – Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

The Library Game review

March 18, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the Secret Staircase Mysteries that I’ve had the pleasure of reading and enjoying as ARCs from the get-go, and this book definitely didn’t disappoint at all. The author, Gigi Pandian had such a sweet article in her latest newsletter about how the series came to be and how she made Grandpa Ash’s character be modeled after her own dad. The picture of them together was just too adorable!

#NetGalley #MinotaurBooks #GigiPandian

My Goodreads review:

The Library Game by Gigi Pandian
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Tempest and her friends/family are like old friend to me by now since I’ve read this series from the beginning. I’ve enjoyed the character developments and relationships growing. Poor Sanjay, he’s such a hoot normally but he was a worried man this time since he was a suspect. The showdown was tense and I really loved what someone did to the perp! The outcome was a satisfying one, and as all the friends were taking another friend to the airport, I can only wonder what the next book might bring!

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

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Puzzled 4 Murder review

February 26, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the fourteenth book in the Sophie Kimball Mysteries by husband and wife team J.C. Eaton better known as Ann Goldfarb and Jim Clapp. It’s always a fun time with Phee riding herd on her mom Harriet and Harriet’s friends, not to mention Streetman, the mischievous chiweenie! I just love Phee’s hilarious first person narrative with her own comments in italics LOL!

#NetGalley #BeyondthePage #JCEaton

My Goodreads review:

Puzzled 4 Murder by J.C. Eaton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The silly little chiweenie definitely caused his fair share of trouble but he did end up doing something pretty cool at the end. That little dog’s a Houdini when it comes to escaping his carrier. Poor Phee felt like she was herding cats once again trying to keep her mom and the book club ladies from getting into danger or trouble, whichever came first.

I always laugh a lot when reading in this series and this book was no exception, those book club ladies crack me up! After a crazy murder mystery that somehow tied into Nate and Marshall’s cold case they were looking into, the showdown was a good one and the ending was super satisfying. Maybe poor Phee’ll get a break—at least until the weather gets cooler lol.

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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A Side Dish of Death review

February 25, 2025February 25, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in the Urban Tails Pet Shop mysteries by T.C. (Toni) LoTempio and it’s another series I’ve enjoyed from the very beginning. I love how Shell’s former co-star, Gary, of their spy series has stayed around and now he’s dating her bestie, Olivia. And the murder taking place at an event that featured a murder mystery and dinner was just too fun.

Shell and Gary always make for great sleuths, who knows, maybe the TV show gave the two some practice they never thought they’d use in real life, lol! He’s a hoot and totally reminds me of Richard Castle from TV–he likes to cook and sleuth plus he’s crazy fun.

#NetGalley #BeyondthePage #TCLoTempio

My Goodreads review:

A Side Dish of Death by T. C. LoTempio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely love Gary’s character! He always cracks me up. Luckily he’s dating Shell’s bestie and only doing sleuthing with Shell now instead of how he originally hoped they could be together. Shell’s super happy with her detective boyfriend who’s come to appreciate her and Gary’s help even if it’s just being a runner for something. This was the summertime version of characters stranded in a place with a storm raging outside, technically a hurricane. Purrday and Princess Fuzzypants were their usual good kitty helpers and found clues and even got to help when it was needed most. The showdown was a crazy one and led to the following day being spent with food and friends while Shell, Josh and Gary filled in everyone on the excitement. Can’t wait for the next book! This is one of my fave series.

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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The Next Deadly Chapter review

February 23, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the tenth book in the Mystery Bookshop series by V.M. (Valerie) Burns, and I’ve enjoyed and laughed out loud with every single one of this series. This one was especially hilarious because Nana Jo and all her sleuthing pals from the retirement village were staying at a fancy resort thanks to some crazy guy who’d heckled Sam during her book presentation in their community center.

It’s the usual resort and casino where Nana Jo and the girls always go playing the slots with Sam. Irma was on her A-game this time and her usual Irma-ness was a hoot as always! And Nana Jo was her usual force to be reckoned with especially where ole Stinky Pitt was concerned LOL! You gotta read the scene they shared at one point in the resort. Probably one of the funniest if not the funniest in the entire series! I absolutely can’t wait for the next book! Oh and the poodles’ faces are priceless as always on this cover! Their eyes always say it all! Lots and lotsa kudos to the artist for making me chuckle before even starting a book in this series! I just wish I could hug both those sweet pups!

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #ValerieBurns

My Goodreads review:

The Next Deadly Chapter by V.M. Burns
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely love this series and how Nana Jo and her friends from the retirement village always end up helping Sam with a case. Jenna even was in on the act this time since the tribal leader of the casino resort they were staying at requested her after a body was found in what was originally Sam’s room. Can you guess who was staying in her room instead of Sam? That might’ve been the start of Sam and her future mom-in-law getting acquainted, lol. Dr. Camilia proved to be quite human and useful to the case as well. And a certain detective found himself attracted to her—let that hilarity begin!

Nana Jo was at her hilarious best and my favorite scene with Det. Pitt getting off the elevator and Nana Jo’s reaction was hysterical! For this and tons of other fun stuff (like one of my favorite returning jokes when Irma almost says something naughty and they all go, “Irma!”—gotta love it!), don’t miss this latest installment! This mystery was truly a group effort when it was solved after a tense showdown. That perp never saw what was coming lol.

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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Candle with Care review

February 11, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the Magic Candle Shop Mysteries by Valona Jones, better known as Maggie Toussaint. I just love twin sisters’ characters, Tabby and Sage. They definitely got into some wild predicaments in this book! Read and enjoy, and just a hint that for maximum enjoyment, this series deserves to be read in order to totally learn and appreciate the relationships and character growth.

#MaggieToussaint #ValonaJones #CandlewithCare

My Goodreads review:

Candle With Care by Valona Jones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Every time I read a book in this series, I like the characters even better than ever. We sure learned a lot about some characters who’d had some deep secrets, maybe not necessarily dark ones but surprising.

Lotsa things were resolved and everything came to a head in an epic magical showdown that Tabby had to be sure and leave out the magic part for her statement, lol. The ending was extremely sweet and now I can’t wait for the next book. I’ve heard it was supposed to be the last book so it’ll be a little bittersweet I’m sure. Knowing this author, all our faves will get the happiness they deserve I’m sure.

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 Victim at Valentine’s review

February 10, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in Ellie Alexander’s awesome new series, The Secret Bookcase Mysteries, and I’ve loved every single minute of these books since the very first one. These characters found their way into my heart and they aren’t leaving even though the sixth book is supposed to be the last. I can only hope maybe the author still has plans for the characters in a new series. ::fingers crossed and wishing like crazy::

#NetGalley #StormPublishing #EllieAllexander

My Goodreads review:

A Victim at Valentine’s by Ellie Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ll be really sad when this series wraps up with the next book since these are some of the most awesome characters I’ve come across in cozy mysteries. They’ve all got the best chemistry among them.

This mystery was a real puzzler as Annie and her pals tried to figure out who killed the nicest guy in town. And she had a side mystery that may just crack the cold murder case she’s worked on since her friend was killed. The showdown was hair raising to say the least but Annie’s a survivor and lived to have a super sweet dinner date with her guy Liam at the end.

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

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Star-Crossed Egg Tarts review

January 21, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the second in this enjoyable newer Magical Fortune Cookie series by Jennifer J. Chow and I liked it just as well as, and maybe even more than the first since something super sweet happened at the end. And as always, Whiskers, Felicity’s pet magical bunny was adorable and helpful. Can’t wait to see what the next book brings!

#NetGalley #MinotaurBooks #JenniferJChow

My Goodreads review:

Star-Crossed Egg Tarts by Jennifer J. Chow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoy these key characters and had a great time sleuthing along with Felicity and Kelvin as they worked to figure out who was framing him for murder. He definitely hadn’t signed up for that when he agreed to be a substitute groomsman.

The showdown with Felicity and the killer was a good one and I loved how Felicity got the upper hand. Something super sweet happened for her at the end and now I can’t wait to see what happens next.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by St. Martin/Minotaur Books via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

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Haunting and Homicide review

January 20, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the first book in a new series by a cozy author we already know as Amber Camp who wrote some awesome horse mysteries. Haunting and Homicide is the first in the Ghost Tours Mysteries by Ava Burke, Amber Camp’s other pen name, and I really loved it! There’s an adorable dog, some friendly ghosts and tons of great action and suspense. Not to mention a really nice sense of family loyalty and togetherness. I was touch disappointed at the very ending, but maybe by the next book, things may be different, who knows!

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #AvaBurke

My Goodreads review:

Haunting and Homicide by Ava Burke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was the perfect paranormal cozy mystery with some awesome ghost characters. I loved Mamie and Albert’s ghosts who were always a big help and Mamie even got to help later on in the book in a bigger way. A new ghost on the block was a jerk at first but eventually came around and was nice.

That was one nail-biting showdown but with some good old ghostly help, Lou lived to investigate another day. I really enjoyed these characters a lot but gotta admit, I was disappointed in the very ending. Everything with the mystery being solved worked out great though.

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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The Incident of the Book in the Nighttime review

January 14, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the tenth book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mysteries by a favorite cozy author, Vicki Delany. I’ve enjoyed this series since its very beginning and definitely believe it’s best enjoyed in order since there’s so much character and relationship development that’s happened since the start. Gemma used to get on my nerves in the beginning, but I’ve decided she’s now like a completely grown up Hermione Granger. I can totally picture Hermione saying of the stuff Gemma does, lol.

I wonder what other adventures might be in store for Gemma and her amazing friends? That Donald just cracks me up sometimes, and he was in rare form in this book! And of course in his element walking the same streets of London he imagined his hero Sherlock Holmes doing. Uncle Arthur sounds like a real hoot too just from some of the reports from back home during this mystery. We’ve always known him to be a little mysterious and most of his appearances are just talked about.

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #VickiDelany

My Goodreads review:

The Incident of the Book in the Nighttime by Vicki Delany
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

While Gemma was supposed to be having fun in England after her sister got married, she ended up sleuthing another case like the last time she was there on a pleasure trip. Her Sherlock fan friend Donald was pretty stoked at just being in London again let alone getting to tag along on a case with Gemma and Jayne. He came in pretty handy when they all visited an exclusive club and things kinda went crazy there.

In her usual way of intelligently observing and not purposely pestering the police, Gemma finally had the answer and who the killer was just when their time in London was ending. I was halfway expecting a special question from Ryan to her but more craziness from home could’ve been what interrupted. And there was definitely mayhem going on at home as well. Uncle Arthur couldn’t make it to the wedding so he hung out at the store. I got the feeling Gemma wished she could’ve swapped places with him and avoided the headaches she was coming home to lol. Always tons of fun with this group of characters!

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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Dead Men Wag No Tails review

January 5, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Magical Menagerie series by well-known cozy mystery author, Sarah Fox. I loved this series when it started last year and I was super happy to read this second book which definitely didn’t disappoint. I like how Georgie and Callum are growing closer and how the dogs and Euclid the resident owl always seem to help when Georgie’s investigating. I can’t wait for the next book!

#NetGalley #SevernHouse #SarahFox

My Goodreads review:

Dead Men Wag No Tails by Sarah Fox
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I read the first book last year, it took me no time at all to fall in love with these characters and the setting, so it was like meeting up with old friends again when I read this book. I love that Georgie’s smart and self-assured (in most things) but she’s not afraid to ask anyone when she needs with something. Those sweet dogs are amazing like their owl friend Euclid. And a visiting parrot seemed to hold the key to something important with the murder case.

I was glad to see Georgie and Callum growing closer and that she was feeling more confident that he was actually happy with her. The ending was really sweet and since they talked about a Halloween themed event coming up, I hope that’s the theme of the next book! It should be tons of fun!

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

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