crooked lane books – Page 3 – Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

Trotting into Trouble review

November 19, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Horse Rescue Mysteries by Amber Camp, who’s an RN herself and definitely knows the subject she’s writing about which is horses and other animals as well as being a nurse to humans. I’ve really enjoyed these two books in the series and hope there’ll be more. A word of advice: unless you don’t plan to read book 1, you’ll be fine jumping in with this book. But if you planned on reading book 1, please read it first or you’ll find spoilers within this book.

Can’t wait for another book in the series because now I’m feeling like these characters are old friends as are the critters like Biscuit the donkey. I just love Tanner, the farm hand who’s like a son to Mallory. Mallory’s dad’s pretty special too and I wish he’d just agree to move in at the rescue.

#NetGalley #CrookedLaneBooks #AmberCamp

My Goodreads review:

Trotting into Trouble by Amber Camp
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this installment and the characters started to feel like old friends. I just love Mal’s dad and it’d be awesome if he ever agreed to stay there with her.

I do think I should point out that if anyone hasn’t read the first book, and you want all the details, read it first if you don’t want spoilers because this book does name the killer from the first book quite a few times. This could work as a standalone if you had no intention of reading the first book though. Just a friendly tip there.

I sure hadn’t suspected whodunit until it became obvious, and wow what an exciting showdown running from a crazed killer! But Mal came out not unscathed but as Grady pointed out, she was at least alive. I really hope there’ll be more books in the series since the ending to this book was so sweet!

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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Murder Checks Out review

November 16, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the eighth book in the Blue Ridge Library Mysteries by Victoria Gilbert, and I’ve followed it from the very beginning. I saw on the author’s website that there’ll be one more book coming in Spring 2025. I’d love to see the series get renewed for more books, but I can’t remember if 9 truly is supposed to be the last book.

As far as anyone who might not be caught up or read any of this series, reading from book one’s the best way to go since you’ll get to follow Amy and Richard’s relationship as it progressed. If you’ve read all the books up to here, no you didn’t miss any. It’s written this way on purpose, and with that I’ll let you explore the book on your own now! But it’s no big secret it does start five years after book 7 left off. I personally loved that about it.

#NetGalley #CrookedLaneBooks #VictoriaGilbert

My Goodreads review:

Murder Checks Out by Victoria Gilbert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh wow this was another exciting adventure for Amy and her family/friends. I thought it was such a cool idea to time-jump five years ahead to when Amy’s kids were in kindergarten basically skipping the years where you wouldn’t have much of a story anyway when the twins were babies and smaller. Now they were little kids and sometimes more like five going on fifteen as they followed in Richard’s dancing footsteps by being part of the modern dance Nutcracker he and Karla were presenting.

Every Grinch there ever was has had a change of heart, and it was no different for Amy’s mother-in-law, Fiona. She actually turned out to be a really nice person and since I don’t wanna spill the reason why she’s so nice now, you’ll just have to read that part for yourself! She truly loved the little kids though which was pretty awesome in itself. I’d never have thought of Fiona from the earlier books wanting anything to do with grandkids until they were over the messy stage.

That was some showdown! And since Amy and Fiona had sleuthed together, they were in on this showdown together too. And they handled it like troopers until reinforcements came. Christmas at the Muir house was noisy, fun and amazing! I saw on the author’s website that the next Books’s scheduled for spring 2025 and was happy to remember this series still gets book 9. I’d sure miss that wolfish rascal Kurt! 😉

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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Stalking Around the Christmas Tree review

October 18, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the long-awaited fourth book in the Christmas Tree Farm Mysteries by Jacqueline Frost aka well-known cozy author Julie Anne Lindsey. I’m so glad the publisher decided to go with this book and sure hope there’ll be more coming. The main thing fans have waited for since the first book at least happened, but I’d love to see a couple more happily ever afters (like Libby and Ray and Caroline and her new guy.) This series has always been one of the most fun to read!

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #JulieAnneLindsey #JacquelineFrost

My Goodreads review:

Stalking Around the Christmas Tree by Jacqueline Frost
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was just so darn good! I’d missed this series so much and was hoping somehow there’d be a fourth book eventually (it’s been 2 years since the last one, but in Mistletoe, Maine, it’s only been a year), and there was! I was over the moon to find out this book was a reality and it definitely didn’t disappoint! Not. one. bit.

Evan and Holly were schedule for their happily ever after on Christmas Eve night, but when a lead ballet dancer was murdered, the couple knew neither would sleep right until the perp was caught. Then there was a good side mystery involving Evan’s younger sister, Libby who’d been living in Mistletoe now and working at the farm’s Hearth café. It appeared she had a stalker of some sort.

The author did a really good job of updating what’d happened since the last book and even hitting the highlights of the first two mysteries too. It’d add to reading enjoyment though if these books were read in order even though nothing’s ever spoiled that I remember.

What an awesome showdown with the killer and dangerous for poor Holly, but her people were right there for her. And Libby’s case got a super satisfying ending as well…wait’ll you see who all helped with that showdown! And the wedding…what can I say? It was awesome!

I really hope more books are planned for this series. I do remember reading the author’s newsletter when she got this one contracted but beyond that, I guess we can only hope! Evan and Holly are a great team and I’d sure love to see things shake out just as well for Libby and Ray…and now that Caroline found a nice guy too. Oh hey another thing I loved about this series–the main character actually got married before her bestie!

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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In the Wick of Time review

October 17, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Magic Candle Shop Mysteries by Valona Jones who mystery fans also know as Maggie Toussaint. I’ve enjoyed both books in this series and was intrigued by the idea of Tabby and Sage being energetics as opposed to actual witches. The cool things they can do are similar sometimes though and super useful! A shady character was introduced in this series and while I hope we’ve seen the last of him, something tells me we haven’t since that little side mystery wasn’t really cleared up yet. I’ll definitely be waiting on the next book with that in mind.

#NetGally #CrookedLane #ValonaJones #MaggieToussaint

My Goodreads review:

In the Wick of Time by Valona Jones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed visiting Savannah, GA again and hanging out with the Winslow sisters. They were different in lots of ways but the girls loved each other fiercely and always and each other’s backs, no matter what or who they were with as far as their boyfriends.

When first Sage then Auntie O’s boyfriend Frankie was accused of murder, Tabby wouldn’t give up until she found the real culprit. And was this person just as powerful and Tabby and her sister? Had that person been the one who spelled Sage’s boyfriend too? I couldn’t read fast enough once everything started coming together and can’t wait for the new book since a side mystery was left hanging for 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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Nutcracker Nightmare review

October 17, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Killer Chocolate Mysteries by Christina Romeril, and I’ve really enjoyed both the first book and this one. It’d probably be helpful to read the first book before reading this or at least I think it makes for the most enjoyment to already know the characters and townspeople by the time the second book rolls around. It was so easy to fall right back in love with this Christmas movie of a town, but cute as it looked there were tons of secrets to be had. Someone was willing to kill to keep their secrets–and what’s up with the mysterious blogger who seemed to know everyone’s business? Were they gonna get caught as well? You’ll need to read to find out!

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #ChristinaRomeril

My Goodreads review:

Nutcracker Nightmare by Christina Romeril
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

During a reunion event and dinner, a bunch of high school drama was still still affecting people who were definitely old enough not to act that way or care about old grudges etc. When one murder followed fairly soon by another rocked the peacefulness of the village’s Christmas season, Alex wasn’t about to listen to the sheriff and stay out.

Despite a couple scary things happening to her as well as wondering who the mysterious gossip blogger was who eerily knew things before the police informed people, and wondering what was up with Tom, Alex managed to crack the case and lived to sleuth another day thanks to a clever gift from a friend. I’m happy with how things ended between the twins and their guys and can’t wait to see what happens in next year’s 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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Overdue or Die review

October 10, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the seventh book in the Haunted Library Mysteries by Allison Brook, better known on social media as Marilyn Levinson, the talent behind the pen name. I’ve enjoyed this series since the beginning and trust me, the haunted library isn’t scary at all. Evelyn’s an awesome ghost who’s become a good friend of Carrie. It’d be so sweet if Evelyn could appear at Carrie and Dylan’s wedding coming up sometime soon. That should be one interesting wedding!

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #AllisonBrook

My Goodreads review:

Overdue or Die by Allison Brook
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was definitely a case with a ton of different connections and crazy stuff happening all the time. Even Dylan got pulled into it from an artwork detective standpoint. Who was leaving this pile of bodies and serving as the brains behind a sophisticated forgery operation? Well, if anyone could ferret all that information out, we know our pal Carrie’s the sleuth for the job. She even had two different people asking her to find killers…well three since Evelyn counts as part of ghost people.

Only our Carrie could manage to pull off all the above along with getting ready to be married in around six months. That showdown was pretty exciting and more than one person was proud of how Carrie handled everything and ended up not almost getting killed. The ending was so cool when a new friend had an incredible surprise for Carrie and Dylan. I can’t wait for the next book!

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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Caught on the Book review

October 3, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the Antique Bookshop Mysteries by Laura Gail Black, and I’ve enjoyed each one since the series started, but I especially liked this one. There’s everything a good cozy needs in this series like a strong main character, a sweet and patient boyfriend, the world’s best bestie as well as various good friends and business neighbors. And no one can forget sweet little Eddy the furry pup Jenna inherited from her Uncle Paul along with the store. Who knew she’d ever be such a good doggie mom? I’m always hopeful for more books in a series, but if this one were to end here, I really think the author did a great job of giving the characters an amazing place to be in their lives.

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #LauraGailBlack

My Goodreads review:

Caught on the Book by Laura Gail Black
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is my favorite of the series so far! Despite the murder that happened and trying to help a former nemesis, Jenna had a lot of great stuff going on in her life especially where Keith was concerned. There were some good red herrings in the case as well as some threats, but Jenna’s never been known to back down from a case, so she wasn’t gonna start lol. I do think she stumbled a little blindly into the showdown though, but she lived to solve another murder at least.

The ending was so sweet in not just one way. Jenna made peace with the former nemesis and came up with a plan that was pretty darn brilliant. I hope there’ll be more in the series, but if there’s not, I’m pretty happy with this ending!

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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Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas review

September 19, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the sixth book in the Year-Round Christmas Mysteries by one of my fave cozy authors, Vicki Delany. But as fans know, the series was let go from its former publisher, so according to what the acknowledgement page in the book says, it was those same fans who were instrumental in getting this series to make a comeback in the last three years, this time with Crooked Lane. I hope it’s headed for a nice long ride just like the author’s other series, The Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mysteries.

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #VickiDelany

My Goodreads review:

Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas by Vicki Delany
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Boy, what a bunch of drama kings and queens in the Rudolph Players group as they got ready for their annul Christmas play, a musical version of A Christmas Carol.! I wouldn’t’ve blamed a couple of the long-timers if they’d made good on their threats to quit because that new artistic director was something else. Merry’s dad’s always been my fave character and he proved that point once again at the end.

I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed Merry’s character—she’s a strong personality and doesn’t take anything from anyone including family. And it’d take a Christmas miracle to change mean old Margie in the store next to Merry, lol. 😉. I’d definitely not guessed whodunit and enjoyed the crazy showdown and arrest that followed.

I was so happy to see this series return! I know it was pretty sad when the author had said it ended but as the acknowledgement page said, it was due largely to reader support and requests that it made a welcome return. I love hearing stories like that!

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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Seams Deadly review

August 30, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the first in a brand new series, Measure Twice Sewing Mysteries by Maggie Bailey and it seems promising. I was definitely interested in someone who liked to sew, although admittedly I don’t enjoy sewing people clothes or altering…anything. (Guess I need one of those tees Lydia mentioned that says “Yes I sew, no I won’t hem your pants” haha!) My sewing models are vinyl and eighteen inches tall that never complain or grow, lol.

But it’s fun to have a main character who’s immersed in sewing for something wearable and who’s got like-minded friends. If it hadn’t been for the murder that took recently place, Lydia’s class would’ve been more fun I’m sure! But at the end, I loved how her friends showed her how much they cared for her. And of course everyone needs a harmless, creepy but happy neighbor who I couldn’t help thinking of as Howard from Big Bang, with Sheldon’s obsession of model trains.

#NetGalley #CrookedLane

My Goodreads review:

Seams Deadly by Maggie Bailey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This series definitely has lots of potential and I liked the key players aka Lydia’s new friends in town and Fran, of course, her good friend who’d taken her in. But someone in town appeared to have it in for Lydia after framing her for two murders, so like any good cozy sleuth, she knew it was gonna be up to her to get her name cleared for good. Fran was really an awesome friend, not super warm or anything which definitely isn’t a Southern trait, lol. But later when I found out why she’d been uptight, I figured she deserved a break. Cynde was actually my fave of Lydia’s new friends. She had every reason to be a little bitter, but she was warm and welcoming.

I was never sure whodunit until the reveal which was super tense and I kept wondering how Lydia was gonna get out from under this mess. But never underestimate a rescue cat named Baby Lobster because she was definitely named that for a good reason! Once her name was cleared and Lydia got a little time away, she was back and ready to go. Toward the end was my fave way to wrap up a cozy with food, friends and fellowship when the crew as Lydia called her friends gathered at the donut shop to show Lydia that they honestly did care about her even if she felt she wasn’t too loved. And she got to take care of any loose threads of the case or questions they had. I really liked what happened at the very end and now I’m eager to read the next book. This book releases September 5, 2023.

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 Clue in the Crumbs review

August 5, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the thirteenth book in the long-running and fun Key West Food Critic Mysteries by Lucy Burdette. You’re always guaranteed a good mystery with some great book character friends and tons of good food with recipes too. I’ve always loved the closeness and family atmosphere Hayley and her houseboat neighbors have too.

I haven’t been to Key West in over forty years but from the descriptions of the different eating places there, I can see it’s changed a lot and I wouldn’t mind going back someday, especially to hit up some of the real places I know the author mentions in these books since she’s from Key West herself.

My Goodreads review:

A Clue in the Crumbs by Lucy Burdette
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

That Miss Gloria’s something else! She’s always been my fave of Hayley’s friends and in the last few books, she’s gotten even more of a presence which I absolutely love! Put her together with Bettina and Violet from Scotland and you’ve got a pretty awesome senior sleuthing trio. Those ladies even after a long flight from Scotland never stopped going and definitely kept Hayley on the move as well.

I eventually suspected whodunit but none of the exact details. The Scone Sisters’ agent was an odd character but he ended up with quite the tale to tell after he’d vanished right after the murder. The showdown was a crazy one, but everyone ended up back at Hayley’s for food, friendship and a little debriefing about the case. I wouldn’t mind seeing the Scone Sisters visit again, only maybe next time not have a baking contest, just some good old tourism mayhem! I’m sure there’d still be plenty for those ladies to see and do. Don’t miss this latest installment when it releases August 8, 2023.

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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