crooked lane books – Page 2 – Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

A Slay Ride Together with You review

September 12, 2024September 12, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the seventh in the long-running Year-Round Christmas Mysteries by Vicki Delany, and I absolutely love this series. What an awesome concept although as showed in this book, they do celebrate other holidays besides Christmas since the book was taking place around Easter time. I just love that sweet, big old Mattie, the St. Bernard. It cracks me up how he listens to Det. Diane so well but Merry, not so much lol.

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My Goodreads review:

A Slay Ride Together With You by Vicki Delany
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another awesome offering from a fave cozy author who never fails to hand readers a super satisfying showdown and takedown of a killer in the story. And there was just the right amount of creepy atmosphere for the old house Vicky and Mark bought together haunted by a very flesh and blood ghost. I loved how the girls teamed up against the killer and as always, it led up to a fun-filled ending with food, dancing and lotsa friendship.

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 Grim Steeper review

September 10, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Witches Brew Mysteries by Gretchen Rue, a series I’ve enjoyed since it started. Ya just gotta love a crazy orange cat named Bob! Who’s a good boy, Bob? I love the camaraderie of the town and how they’ve accepted Phoebe into their small business family.

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My Goodreads review:

The Grim Steeper by Gretchen Rue
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve loved this series from its beginning two books ago and now I’m loving it even more. Along with some murders and other shenanigans going on with some of a visiting bird guy’s staff, Phoebe found out a lot about her own witchy powers and things started looking a lot better for her everywhere.

That showdown was epic and I do believe Det. Patsy thought so too. Phoebe was shocked at what others already knew about her when she was just learning some of this stuff herself. A favorite ending theme, food and fellowship was enjoyed by Phoebe and all her friends which were really her little family she’d acquired when she moved to Raven Creek. I can’t wait for the next book!

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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Quilty As Charged review

August 24, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Measure Twice Sewing Mysteries by Maggie Bailey which was somewhat bittersweet since someone very close to Lydia was the murder victim this time. Stuck in an ice storm on a mountain, secrets were eventually revealed, but I was happy that nothing permanently scarred Lydia’s original beliefs about her friend. It was also pretty cool that while one friend was taken from Lydia’s life, a new one appeared (and he sounded super cute lol!).

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My Goodreads review:

Quilty as Charged by Maggie Bailey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a good locked room type murder mystery with an ice storm raging outside. I picked out who I thought was the killer, but that choice became less possible, so I just sleuthed along with Lydia and Auden. I really love that she’s met a nice guy and the good turn her life took in this story.

It’s hard to say much more without spoiling things, so I’ll just say I’m ready for the next book if there’s a third one in the works. I’m eager to see what progress Lydia and Auden might make in their new friendship. It was sad when I read in the description who the person was that got killed first, but there might’ve been things no one knew about this sweet person. Lotsa secrets came out for everyone.

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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Kill or Bee Killed review

June 5, 2024June 5, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Bee Keeping Mysteries by Jennie Marts, and I absolutely loved it! I sure can’t wait for the next book! There’re just so many great characters, and funny ones too like the great-aunts, lol. Daisy’s one of the best kid characters I’ve ever met in a cozy, and I was proud of her wisdom at times. I can’t say enough good things about the ending either!

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My Goodreads review:

Kill or Bee Killed by Jennie Marts
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh my gosh, if you love a good book hangover, this is the book that can provide it! It’s got funny moments, tense moments, sweet romantic moments, well it’s got all those moments I love in the mysteries I read. I couldn’t’ve hoped for a better ending! And the very ending was something I never saw coming. Now I really can’t wait for the next book!

I really enjoy all these key characters! Those great-aunts and Granny crack me up and how hilarious and fun when the two aunties decided to enter the festival pageant. Evie’s probably one of the best besties a girl could ever have, and Daisy’s just about the best kid anyone could want. Bailey’s lucky to have both these ladies in her life, and her handsome Sawyer! I love how Evie and Griff kinda got together. She’s been so good for him because he’s really different (in a good way) from before. Wishing the next book could come sooner than a year from now!

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

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The Stranger in the Library review

June 4, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the eleventh book in the long-running Lighthouse Library Mysteries by Eva Gates, a pen name for beloved cozy author, Vicki Delany who writes the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mysteries, Tea by the Sea Mysteries and Year-Round Christmas Mysteries. You just can’t go wrong with anything this talented lady writes!

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My Goodreads review:

The Stranger in the Library by Eva Gates
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

While I’m not an art fan at all and the talk of it and history are slightly boring to me, I still enjoyed the mystery behind this book and seeing Lucy in action sleuthing again. I never would’ve thought I’d actually kinda like Louise Jane’s character, ever, but now even though she’s still snarky and everything, she’s a fixture I’d miss, lol. She’s always good for a laugh whether she meant to be funny or not 😉 Will good old LJ really find the love she’s been hoping for with someone from this book? Or…maybe she loves the lighthouse apartment too much to really fall for someone. I guess only time’ll tell on that!

Lucy and Louise Jane were together during the showdown and what led up to it as well as what followed. They did honestly work well together sleuthing and of course, LJ’s always got a trick or two up her sleeve. I’m eager to see what happens in the next book—will it be about what Louise Jane found out she’ll be doing soon?

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

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Deadly to the Core review

January 16, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the first book in the new Cider House Mysteries by well-established cozy author Joyce Tremel who’d recently written a cozy history mystery series as Joyce St. Anthony, Homefront News Mysteries that I really wish could’ve continued until the war in it was done! But I’m happy to see she’s back with a fun, new series, this first book of which I absolutely loved!

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My Goodreads review:

Deadly to the Core by Joyce Tremel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just like everything I’ve read by this author, I absolutely loved this and devoured it in just a day. I couldn’t stop reading since it was really compelling and moved along just right. I really enjoyed Kate’s character and all the key players. I was worried about a triangle for a bit there for Kate but not anymore, lol. She and her new friends definitely worked great together and she single-handedly faced off with a killer who apparently didn’t know the old thing about a woman scorned, lol. What a great ending and a new celebration for all the friends! I just can’t wait to read the next in this series, it’s already a winner in my book.

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

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Hammers and Homicide review

January 15, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the first book in a new series, Hometown Hardware (sorry, no link for the series is given on GR) by Paula Charles who seems well-acquainted with writing a cozy mystery. I really enjoyed her first book as a new cozy author, at least I haven’t been able to find that her name’s a pen name for someone already established. I loved how this book has a mother/daughter duo working together and can’t wait for the next book.

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My Goodreads review:

Hammers and Homicide by Paula Charles
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I thought it was cool that Dawna could sense her late husband’s presence but it wasn’t in a creepy or scary way. Bob definitely came in handy at one point and Dawna’s special ability (that her daughter kinda sorta embraced as far as her dad was concerned) made for the sweetest scene toward the end and even helped her with a clue in the case.

I love the mother/daughter relationship these two have! Their dynamics are great and the banter was so funny sometimes especially with Dawna being such a klutz but the kind who was easily able to laugh at herself. My kinda people. 🤣

What a crazy showdown this one was! I loved how it played out and hearing Dawna and April’s future plans for the store was pretty exciting. I’m sure Bob heartily approved! Can’t wait for the next book—maybe April and JT can get together.

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

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A Bean to Die For review

January 9, 2024January 9, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the Coffee Lovers Mysteries by Tara Lush, and I’ve enjoyed every one since the beginning. It’s been a fun ride with lots of laughs, mystery and intrigue. Somehow I got the feeling the series was ending even though I’ve heard nothing official (or forgot if I did hear), but if this is really the last book, the author wrapped it up nicely.

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My Goodreads review:

A Bean to Die For by Tara Lush
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was another exciting and sometimes really funny adventure with Lana, her dad, her bestie Erica and her sweetie, Noah. From the first book, Lana’s dad was my fave character and he’s stayed my fave through this book as well. Once the case was solved and the perp caught, there were some fun changes in store for Lana and her loved ones. I’m pretty sure Stanley pup’s really gonna like one of those changes.

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

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The Sign of Four Spirits review

January 8, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the ninth book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mysteries by well-known Canadian cozy author, Vicki Delany who also writes as Eva Gates (The Lighthouse Library Mysteries). I’ve loved every one of this series and always get a kick out of very precise Gemma and her methods of investigation. Was this spooky mystery even gonna rattle stoic Gemma who doesn’t believe in that stuff? You’ll have to read and find out!

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My Goodreads review:

The Sign of Four Spirits by Vicki Delany
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This mystery absolutely grabbed from the very get-go and wouldn’t let loose! It was hard to put it down at all and I couldn’t read fast enough at some points. I had a feeling I knew whodunit but of course none of the why or other details that Gemma so awesomely managed to figure out again. I just love when she always gives her rundown at the end after the perp’s been caught and some of the comments made by those listening are usually just priceless, lol.

Once I knew who could be trusted, I enjoyed a couple of new characters and as always, Donald Morris is such a hoot! He’s such a sweetie and so willing to always help. It cracked me up he let Bunny get away with calling him a nickname too. Can’t wait to see what’s in store next time!

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

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Death by Demo review

December 5, 2023 Tari Hann

This was the fun first book in the new Home Renovation Mysteries by Callie Carpenter, a new cozy mystery author, at least from what I’ve researched. Since her GR page sorta lacks info, the link for her name’s the Crooked Lane short bio. The GR page might lack info, but the book sure doesn’t want for fun, humor and plenty of excitement. I’m really eager now to read the next book!

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My Goodreads review:

Death by Demo by Callie Carpenter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jaime definitely redeemed herself when she started being nice to and feeding the resident cat she kept meeting at the house renovation site. I loved how she and Lara were like sisters and could talk through anything that came along even though Lara’s head was all spreadsheets and finance and Jaime was tools and construction. Jaime seemed like she’d gotten the raw end of a divorce but she was determined to make it work and be a success.

That showdown and what followed was pretty exciting, and I was really proud of Jaime how she got the upper hand on the perp…and what she could’ve done to them. The very ending was just awesome and the perfect solution for Jaime’s new life. And there was someone else I’d been rooting for to get to know her better too, and I believe that might just happen. Can’t wait for the next book!

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

View all my reviews