Tag: good friends

Between a Roquefort and a Hard Place review

Tari Hann

This is the seventh book in the Grilled Cheese Mysteries by Linda Reilly, and I’ve had the pleasure of reading it from the very beginning. Which is something I highly recommend to get to know the characters better and for maximum enjoyment. After the last book, I’d been hoping for another book in the series and was thrilled to be able to get this from NetGalley.

#NetGalley #BeyondthePage #LindaReilly

My Goodreads review:

Between a Roquefort and a Hard Place (Grilled Cheese Mysteries #7)Between a Roquefort and a Hard Place by Linda Reilly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another fun visit to Balsam Dell and Carly’s Grilled Cheese Eatery along with all her friends and family. Carly’s hubby Ari found out what it was like to be the prime suspect in a murder this time when the contractor he was working with was killed on the job. Carly made a good friend in the older lady who owned the house getting renovated and soon found herself facing off with a killer in that house. I’d sorta suspected that person but wasn’t sure why, so I was on the fence the entire time about it. The showdown could’ve gone seriously sideways but thanks to another new friend, Carly lived to sleuth another day. I can’t wait for the next book!

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 Death in the Dark review

Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Novel Detectives Mysteries, a fun spin-off from the Secret Bookcase Mysteries by well-known cozy mystery author, Ellie Alexander. I also love her Bakeshop Mysteries and the redone Pacific Northwest Mysteries she previously wrote as Kate Dyer-Seeley. Those are now known as Meg Reed Investigates, and who could forget the Sloane Krause Mysteries? 

While it’s not that necessary to’ve read the Secret Bookcase series before the Novel Detectives, I highly recommend it to get to know all the awesome characters in Redwood Grove. 

#NetGalley #EllieAlexander #St.MartinPaperbacks #MinotaurBooks

A Death in the Dark (Novel Detectives Mystery, #2)A Death in the Dark by Ellie Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fletcher always makes me smile with his sometimes over-the-top antics either regarding Sherlock or fun spy gadgets. When a head track coach asked him and Annie to take on his case, they had to determine again if their client was actually giving them the whole story or what—most clients didn’t come to them in the shape this guy was in. Meanwhile, there was more to the high school booster club than just bake sales and car wash fundraisers and possibly something hinky going on with academics.

At one point, I thought it was (or was hoping it was) getting clearer as to which suspect killed the assistant track coach. I loved how Annie went about gathering her info, but the showdown was a bit tense until reinforcements arrived. There was a lot more going on at that school than met the eye but at the end, the parties did the right thing about it. And sweet Hal eventually got the tea party he’d always dreamed of since he’d bought the bookshop so long ago. I can’t wait for the next book, just the title seems awesome. There’s a preview at the end of this book I still need to read too…or maybe I’ll make myself wait until I can read the entire book.

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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Two Purloined Pillows review

Tari Hann

This is the second in the latest series, Nimble Needle, by Allie Pleiter whose other cozy mystery series was also fiber crafts related, Riverbank Knitting Mysteries. I’ve always wanted to get to that series so maybe I should do that while waiting on the next book in this series which I’m super eager for now. Check out her biography page on Goodreads (linked above to her name) if you’re interested in her other non-mystery series.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #AlliePleiter

My Goodreads review:

 

Two Purloined Pillows (A Nimble Needle Mystery, #2)Two Purloined Pillows by Allie Pleiter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed returning to Gwen Lake and hanging out with Shelby, her mom and the NYAG ladies (Not Your Average Grannies) who remind me a lot of the Golden Girls, lol. When one of the needlepoint artists for the festival was murdered, Shelby took it personally and set out to find the killer. She had a little help from her pals Deb and Jake (with Jake, I hope she becomes a lot more than pals eventually!).

I enjoyed the side story of Shelby’s sweet nephew who just wanted to be an artist and not mess around trying to play sports. I loved what she did for him using the help of one of the festival artists. Meanwhile that wily killer had totally fooled everyone. I never even had a suspicion! I can’t wait for the next book now that some fun changes are coming to the Nimble Needle’s needlepoint groups.

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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A Blue Ribbon Murder review

Tari Hann

This is the sixth book in the Urban Tails Pet Shop series by cat-loving cozy mystery author, Toni T.C. LoTempio. Just a note, the incorrect author page and no series page were given for this book’s listing on Goodreads. The author page I linked is the one with Ms. Toni’s picture of her with Rocco which is the only official GR page for her that I know of and the same one I’ve always used for blog links. The series link leads to the Amazon page, but I’m not an affiliate, so click without worry.

As always, the Urban Tails Pet Shop mystery never lets me down as far as a good and intriguing mystery along with plenty of kitties to pretend I can pet and love on, especially sweet Purrday! Such is the life of someone with cat allergies lol. Purrday usually gets to be the hero but he’s always been a hero in  my book! Sorry Purrday, I couldn’t find a picture online of a noble one-eyed cat so we’ll just say this was you before whatever happened. 

#NetGalley #BeyondthePage #TCLoTempio

My Goodreads review:

A Blue Ribbon Murder (Urban Tails Pet Shop Mysteries Book 6)A Blue Ribbon Murder by T. C. LoTempio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Shell and her former TV co-star Gary were at their sleuthing best again and it was kinda like they never left their show. Except for this was real life with real perps and weapons. Gary always cracks me up with his sometimes-goofiness, but he’s a true friend and I love how he can remain a good pal to Shell but be a boyfriend to Shell’s bestie, Olivia.

Pet shows can always be a hotbed of drama and mystery, at least in cozy mysteries lol, so this cat show was no exception when the director of the show was murdered. Any number of people could’ve wanted the woman dead, so Shell and Gary put on their A-game of sleuthing again, and once more sweet Purrday was the hero. He probably liked sleuthing a lot better than having to compete in the show anyway! A one-eyed cat might not be show worthy, but Purrday always gets his perp!

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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If Books Could Kill review

Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Tomes & Tea Mysteries by Karen Rose Smith, an awesome spin-off of her Daisy’s Tea Garden Mysteries with the MC Jazzi being none other than Daisy’s now-grown daughter. Of course Jazzi practically grew up with her mom amateur sleuthing, so this li’l apple doesn’t fall far from her momma’s tree! 

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #KarenRoseSmith

My Goodreads review:

 

If Books Could Kill (Tomes & Tea Mysteries #3)If Books Could Kill by Karen Rose Smith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve really enjoyed this spin-off series from Daisy’s Tea Garden and was happy to see a very special guest as a brief part of this book. Jazzi had her work cut out for her both at the bookstore and trying to find who killed her librarian friend. She managed to make a new friend in the process and help said new friend find someone she hadn’t seen in a long time. After a scary showdown with a killer where Jazzi definitely held her own, I’m sure she’s totally ready to take a nice long vacation.

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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The Bark Before the Dawn review

Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the Magical Menagerie mystery series by Sarah Fox whose Pancake House series is one of her other cozy mystery series. I’ve loved this series from its beginning and it’s gotten only better with each addition. I highly recommend reading the series in order for the best and most fun experience.

#NetGalley #SarahFox #SevernHouse

My Goodreads review:

The Bark Before the Dawn (A Magical Menagerie Mystery, 4)The Bark Before the Dawn by Sarah Fox
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Something about the ending almost made it sound like the final book, but I sure hope that’s not the case. If it really is, it was wrapped up just perfectly, although I think Georgie and Callum along with two amazing spaniels still have lotsa mysteries to solve.

This was a stumper of a mystery and seemed multi-layered in some ways. There were definitely plenty of suspects to pick from but only one had killed someone, and as always, the spaniels along with awesome Euclid got to help with the takedown. I absolutely loved the ending and really, really hope there’s more books being planned!

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


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Easter Egg Murder review

Tari Hann

This is the latest seasonal anthology from Kensington that always includes three favorite cozy mystery authors and their latest offerings in their series as in-between novellas. As always, there was murder and mayhem but plenty of Easter shenanigans. This is a great way to get your fix for these series before their next book comes out.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #LeslieMeier #LeeHollis #PeggyEhrhart

My Goodreads review:

Easter Egg Murder (A Lucy Stone Mystery, #31.6)Easter Egg Murder by Leslie Meier
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

These were three fun Easter-themed murder mysteries from three of our fave cozy mystery authors who’ve been appearing together in these seasonal collections for several years now. Lucy Stone’s story kicked off the trio with a trip to France where she met up with an unlikely sleuth partner. It was kinda cool to see Lucy talking to someone besides Bill about a mystery.

Hayley Powell’s story as always was fun and funny—we even got a couple of my favorite things about the series, what I call Sergio-isms and his innocent stumbling over some words. He’s such an awesome character and brother-in-law to Hayley who again faced off with a killer proving something was definitely rotten in Bar Harbor.

Pamela and Bettina sleuthed together again and faced off with another killer after Pamela figured it all out. There was an extra awesome ending for this story too giving the Knit and Nibblers yet another reason for celebration.

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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The Curious Case of the Poisoned Professor review

Tari Hann

This is the first book in a brand new series called Welsh Village by Lucy Connelly, a cozy mystery author known for her Scottish Isle and Mercy McCarthy mysteries. While I haven’t yet read any of those, I have a few in each series. After reading this book, I plan to dig into her other series while I wait for the next book in this series. 

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #LucyConnelly

My Goodreads review:

The Curious Case of the Poisoned Professor (A Welsh Village Mystery)The Curious Case of the Poisoned Professor by Lucy Connelly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed meeting Gwen and all her supporting characters in this book. I also really appreciate the author making it clear which guy ended up with Gwen too. For a while I kinda suspected a possible triangle but after a point in the book, I had a feeling she wasn’t gonna subject us to a triangle. And the ending proved that right.

I loved how Gwen and her teaching assistant Ellis were researching and ended up sleuthing when one of the professors from Gwen’s new department was killed. After some scary notes and creepy stalkers, Gwen faced off with a killer and got the upper hand just in time. The ending was so cool and now I can’t wait to read the next book. I have some of this author’s other books, but “so many books, so little time” always kicks in and this ARC is actually the first I’ve read from her, and I liked it a lot!

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 Whisking Hour review

Tari Hann

This is the 22nd book in the long-running Bakeshop Mysteries by Ellie Alexander, a fave cozy author of many and author of other cozy mystery series I’ve read and loved as well. When there’s a murder in Ashland, you better believe Jules and crew (meaning actually Lance recruiting Jules to sleuth) are gonna be sleuthing it out. What could possibly go wrong?

#NetGalley #St.MartinPaperbacks #MinotaurBooks #EllieAlexander

My Goodreads review:

The Whisking Hour (Bakeshop Mystery #22)The Whisking Hour by Ellie Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Poor Lance sure had his hands full with the cast and crew members of the latest show. The director was causing all kinds of chaos among the cast, but who was upset enough to snap and kill someone? There were plenty of suspects. I hadn’t really decided on one, but I definitely was leaning toward the one who ended up as the killer. Jules doesn’t have long until baby time, so now I’m eager to read the next book and see if it’s happening then.

I loved the nod toward the end to one of the author’s other series. It was pretty hilarious and so appropriate how a character from that was connected to one in this series.

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


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Poison at the Wild Haggis Bookshop review

Tari Hann

This is the second book in The Highland Bookshop Murders which I was glad to see return since I read the first one back in October and really liked it. The author’s Jackie Baldwin who’s already a mystery author, but this looks to be her first cozy mystery series.  I’m definitely eager to read a third book in this series. 

#NetGalley #StormPublishing #JackieBaldwin

My Goodreads review: 

 

Poison at the Wild Haggis Bookshop (The Highland Bookshop Murders #2)Poison at the Wild Haggis Bookshop by Jackie Baldwin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was glad when I saw a second book coming out in this series and was able to request it from NetGalley. I’d enjoyed Beth’s story from the first book and her awesome team at the bookstore. They definitely proved they were more than simply employees to Beth but kinda like a little family. Even with each other they proved they had one another’s backs.

When a customer was murdered, Beth took it personally especially when a subscription box from the store was blamed. DC Rhona seemed way more human in this book, and I loved how Beth and Logan were getting closer. I guess having a killer after you might do that lol. Either way, the killer was caught and there was another little twist toward the end I sure never saw coming, a good one too. I’m definitely eager to read the next book.

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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