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

Picking Up the Pieces review

August 12, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the first book in the Jigsaw Puzzle Mysteries by J.B. Abbott, a pen name for the writing team of Brian Tracey and Jeff Ayers. It appears from the GR bio page to be the team’s first cozy mystery effort and I think they really nailed it! I hope they’ve got a second book in the works because I’ll definitely be reading it.

#NetGalley #CrookedLane

My Goodreads review:

Picking Up the Pieces: A Jigsaw Puzzle Mystery by J.B. Abbott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Katie’s friends all cracked me up! They were the most loyal group of people and all so fun and different, from Mildred who was ninety to Hannah who was still in high school. But they made up the puzzle crew who did puzzle testing for the company Katie worked for. And when there was a murder, they sleuthed together like they’d been amateur sleuths all their lives. Everyone’s particular talents came in handy too.

I felt that Katie was being unnecessarily harsh on Connor at times when he was being sweet and supportive. Then when the entire story of their breakup revealed something else, I really thought she owed him an apology. But once the showdown was over and the perp was caught, it seemed like there might be some hope for the two, even if they just start over as friends at least. And you can always tell who’s worth keeping around when the cat approves! 😉

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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Death and the Librarian review

July 8, 2025July 8, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the ninth book in the Blue Ridge Library Mysteries by cozy author Victoria Gilbert, and I’ve enjoyed the series since the beginning. These characters quickly found a way into my book world with book 1 and became old friends.

Except I wasn’t crazy with the Amy portrayed in this book. She did a lot better in the previous book (which was a flash forward five years from the wedding) about reining in her boots on the ground sleuthing since she’s mom to Ella and Nicky, her twins. But she really put herself in a bad situation this time after, well like another review I read on Goodreads, “putting her kids on the back burner” basically. Sure, they were safe but was she?

All turned out well though with one more secret revealed at the end. I’m not sure if this was supposed to be the last book in the series. I get the author’s newsletters and know the series is ending soon, but I saw on her website there was a book 10 slated for 2027. Now I’m not sure if that’s a go or what. Guess we’ll just have to stay tuned. If this was the last book, I wasn’t really a fan about how it wrapped up. Yes, a secret someone had held for a long time was revealed, but it just didn’t feel like the last book. Keeping fingers and toes crossed that there’s actually a book 10 coming.

My Goodreads review:

Death and the Librarian by Victoria Gilbert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It’s still a little odd to be reading about Amy and Richard being parents since the previous book had done a little time jump after their wedding. The kids are supposed to be around five or six in this. They’re definitely a handful and it seems like Amy was a lot better in the last book at not physically taking part in the mystery since she was mom to twins. She did take lots more chances in this book, but one thing in her defense was that she sent the kids home with her parents when things got hairy and threatening.

That was some crazy showdown and I loved what Amy ended up doing to survive. Luckily reinforcements showed in time so Amy could live to celebrate with her friends and family. Kurt still had a secret which he did share with her at the end and yep, it’s a biggie.

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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Shot Through the Book– review

May 8, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the twelfth book in the long-running Lighthouse Library Mysteries by Eva Gates, better known to cozy mystery fans as Vicki Delany, author of the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mysteries, Year-Round Christmas Mysteries and Tea by the Sea Mysteries, all of which quickly became fave series to me. The author has the awesome talent of creating characters you won’t forget and that you’d really wanna be friends with. It’s like coming home to old friends whenever I read another Lighthouse Library or any of the others.

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #VickiDelany #EvaGates

My Goodreads review:

Shot Through the Book by Eva Gates
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I never thought I’d see the day when Louise Jane’s character actually didn’t get on my nerves. In some ways, she’s pretty helpful and fiercely loyal to Lucy and the library. I guess all it took was Lucy getting married so Louise Jane could live in the lighthouse apartment and work there.

One of the characters who’s always been on the sidelines with a few mentions actually got a bigger part in this book during the showdown that Lucy never saw coming. Someone else did a good job controlling the perp and was gonna have one crazy story to tell friends after it was over. There’d been a little side thing going on all along which I totally guessed. A few things happened toward the end of the book that really makes me eager to read 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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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.

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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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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!

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #JennieMarts

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.

View all my reviews