Tag: good friends

I’ll Be Home for Mischief review

Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in the Christmas Tree Farm Mysteries by Jacqueline Frost better known to cozy mystery fans as Julie Anne Lindsey (also Bree Baker). I’ve loved this series from the first time I laid eyes on the very first book and it’s never disappointed. It’s really best enjoyed in order so you can see the character and relationship developments better. I hope this series continues!

My Goodreads review:

I'll Be Home for Mischief (A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery Book 5)I’ll Be Home for Mischief by Jacqueline Frost
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It’s always a special treat to visit with Holly, Evan, her parents and all their friend and loved ones in Mistletoe, Maine every year. The folks in the town sound like an awesome bunch, well aside from an occasional killer popping up. Holly always had lots on her plate this time of year but she always had time to investigate when murder came to town.

The showdown with the killer was possibly the most danger Holly ever found herself in and it seemed like it’d take a Christmas miracle to get outta this one alive. But no worries, Holly lived to investigate another day and enjoy Christmas with the ones she loves most. There were some fun announcements at the end and good changes coming for some of those loved ones. Can’t wait till the next book comes around next year!

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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Gingerbread Danger review

Tari Hann

This is the ninth book in another favorite cozy mystery series, Amish Candy Shop Mysteries by well-known cozy author, Amanda Flower. I’m hoping for a book 10 and can’t quite remember if I read that she’s currently working on it or what. I get tons of author newsletters so yeah, it’s a little hard to keep the info sorted sometimes, lol. Jethro the adorable spotted pig was at his mischievous best, actually he hit the ground running on the mischief factor as soon the book started. Fun, festive and full of surprises!

My Goodreads review:

Gingerbread Danger (An Amish Candy Shop Mystery, #9)Gingerbread Danger by Amanda Flower
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

That little pig Jethro was once again the star of the show as he started off the book having gotten into something already, lol. He just cracks me up but by now, I’m pretty sure Bailey loves that little stinker as much as she loves her rabbit, Puff. He was definitely a little stinker at the end but it caused a perp to get caught so in a way, Jethro was a hero.

It was so cool that Bailey was finally realizing her dream of the candy factory coming true, but with a murder to solve it kinda took a back seat at times. That showdown and what followed was a real comedy of errors but the killer was caught and the solution to the robberies was found too. Can’t wait for the next book which I hope is gonna have a wedding in it with a certain pig as ring bearer! 😉

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Sleep in Heavenly Pizza review

Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the super fun Deep Dish Mysteries by Mindy Quigley which I’ve read and enjoyed from the beginning. The characters really changed and developed quite a bit, for good of course and I’ve enjoyed spending time time in Geneva Bay, WI with them. If you read this book while hungry, you might just start craving pizza, just sayin’.

My Goodreads review:

Sleep in Heavenly Pizza (Deep Dish Mysteries, #4)Sleep in Heavenly Pizza by Mindy Quigley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow Auntie Biz sure went through a nice transformation during the Christmas season. She was actually nice lol and didn’t even complain about Butterball the cat. There were so many secrets and little side stories but they all sorta contributed or were related to the main murder case.

In a surprising reveal of some of those secrets, a satisfying showdown followed. Now Delilah and her team could gather in their favorite thing to do: feed people and be with those they loved on Christmas Day which was an awesome gathering of family, friends and of course, great food.

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

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In the Blink of a Pie review

Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Maple Syrup Mysteries by another fave cozy author, Catherine Bruns. She’s got several cozy series and I’ve read something from all of those series. I always really enjoy what she’s written. This series just pulled me in from the beginning and now I’m hoping for more in it after reading this book. Isn’t little Toast the cat adorable on that cover? He sure didn’t know that that point how helpful he’d end up being!

My Goodreads review:

In the Blink of a Pie (Maple Syrup Mysteries, 3)In the Blink of a Pie by Catherine Bruns
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Who knew a pie contest could turn into someone getting poisoned who wasn’t even advertised as being a judge? Leila and Heather set out to prove the maple farm was innocent of any responsibility in this as well as catch a wily killer. Little Emma’s side story was so super cute and really adorable when it was resolved.

When Leila came into the crosshairs of a crazed killer once more, the most unlikely (but super cute) little team came to the rescue by summoning the authorities. And what an awesome Thanksgiving Leila and her family had. I absolutely loved the ending of this book and can’t wait for more in the series!

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Murder by the Page review

Tari Hann

This is the first book in the Literary Dining Mysteries, a brand new series by a longtime fave cozy author, Daryl Wood Gerber. The characters were interesting and likable. I got a big kick outta Tegan, Allie’s bestie. She could be such a ball of energy and sometimes really cracked me up! It did take me a little bit to warm up to Allie and get into the story more, but once I did, I was off to the races reading.

I gotta say the only thing I didn’t like about this book was its cover, lol. Seriously, Ms. Gerber’s other books have such amazing and vibrantly done covers (meaning they look like what I’ve always felt a cozy mystery should look like), that had I not noticed her name on the cover first, I would’ve passed it right up on NetGalley and missed out on a good story.

Just my opinion here, but I feel there’re entirely too many mysteries out there right now that use similar covers to this and I usually pass those up because they just look boring, so I hope people pick this book on its author merit and knowing they like her first and foremost. Backhanded compliment maybe, but I just know what I enjoy looking at as far as book covers go.

My Goodreads review:

Murder on the PageMurder on the Page by Daryl Wood Gerber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I wasn’t too crazy about this book at first since Allie, the main character was just different from most cozy mystery main characters and it took me a while to warm up to her. I did like her wicked sense of humor and how she could cleverly get in the last word with someone. Tegan was an awesome best friend.

While the Pride and Prejudice quotes and storyline were lost on me, I still enjoyed how they kinda incorporated some of the book’s ideas into figuring out the mystery. The ending was really good and I’m looking forward to seeing how Zach and Allie move forward as hopefully more than friends while another awesome partnership starts and takes off.

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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Blue Christmas Bones review

Tari Hann

This is the 28th book in the long-running Sarah Booth Delaney Mysteries by Carolyn Haines. I’ve enjoyed seeing how the characters evolved and grew in their various relationships. And there’s always a good time to be had when Sarah, Tinkie, Molly and Cece hit the town! Watch out, Elvis impersonator festival, you’re in for a wild Christmas! I loved how Jitty made several appearances as she’s always known to do and they were all somehow associated with music or show biz. Jitty always cracks me up!

My Goodreads review:

Blue Christmas Bones: A Sarah Booth Delaney MysteryBlue Christmas Bones: A Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery by Carolyn Haines
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Oh my goodness, Sarah Booth and Tinkie were at it again on a girls’ trip with their other pals Millie and Cece. Toss in a bunch of Elvis impersonators at a Christmas festival along with a paid case for Delaney Detective Agency and you’ve got hilarity, suspense and just a very fun Christmas read.

Tinkie absolutely cracks me up when she interrogates someone. There’s the best scene later in the book. When she and Sarah Booth both get the questions flying, I pity the perp lol. It was awesome how all their loved ones were able to join them in Tupelo, then of course everyone from Zinnia ended up at Harold’s for his annual Christmas party which had some interesting entertainment this year.

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

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Death at the Dinner Party review

Tari Hann

This is the third book in a new series, Secret Bookcase Mysteries by a favorite cozy mystery author, Ellie Alexander. I’ve read all three so far as ARCs and the stories do build on each other as far as Annie’s backstory and her growing relationships with people (one handsome guy in particular!). Which means I highly recommend reading in order for the most enjoyment possible.

I can’t wait for the next book, A Holiday Homicide which publishes November 30, and it’s already up for pre-order as well as on Goodreads. The link to that book takes you to its Goodreads page for a little sneak peek. From the Goodreads page, you can go to your favorite bookstore and pre-order.

My Goodreads review:

Death at the Dinner Party (A Secret Bookcase Mystery #3)Death at the Dinner Party by Ellie Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It sounded like a super fun adventure to Annie as far as helping her friend’s girlfriend throw a murder mystery dinner party at her old farmhouse as a fundraiser. But like all good mysteries, there had to be a storm trapping everyone inside and of course a murder. It was a good thing Annie had a criminology background or she probably would’ve fallen apart like her pal Pri almost did. I knew her mentor was gonna be really proud of her once the police made it there.

I’m loving how things have changed for the better between Annie and Liam and I’ll be eager to see things progress. And I just love that sweet Hal! What a great guy who runs the bookshop but he’s more like a grandpa to Annie and Fletcher than a boss. Annie’s really blessed to have such a great work family. The showdown was a little scary, in a human way of course but with a little help and some perseverance, Annie and Pri lived to sleuth another day. I can’t wait to read the next book which is Christmas themed!

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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Six Stunning Sirens review

Tari Hann

This is the sixth book in the Kitchen Witch Mysteries by Lynn Cahoon, a series I’ve read from its beginning, and I love how the characters got to grow and evolve from how they were in the very beginning. Trent’s dad was in this book more than I’ve ever seen him which was actually a good thing because you get to see what loving dad and husband he really is and what helped shape Trent and Levi into the amazing guys they turned out to be. I love the role Trent’s mom’s taken on as Mia’s catering manager. Now if Mia could just ditch that darn Lodge job and be back with her own catering family, I think she’d be an extremely happier camper!

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #LynnCahoon

My Goodreads review:

Six Stunning Sirens (Kitchen Witch Mysteries, #6)Six Stunning Sirens by Lynn Cahoon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mia’s Morsels got the catering job for the Harvest Festival pageant and there couldn’t’ve been more drama if it’d been special-ordered. When a contestant’s mom was killed, Mia had to wonder if there was magic afoot and just what someone might do to ensure their own daughter won.

There were some good side stories too which were pretty fun. Everything ended with the fellowship of the Sleuthing Club in Mia’s kitchen along with some more good news. There wasn’t anything happening to worry about at the end, just a nice ending. I really hope there’ll be more books because now I can’t wait to see what’s next!

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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Death of a Gingerbread Man review

Tari Hann

This is the seventeenth book in the long-running Hayley Powell Food & Cocktails Mysteries by brother/sister writing team, Lee Hollis. Lee’s made up of Holly Simason and her brother Rick Copp and I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read by these two talented people who’ve collaborated on three cozy mystery series. The Hayley Powell series link above leads to the Amazon series page because the GR listing doesn’t have the series on it. (The Amazon link’s not an affiliate link, been there done that, it didn’t work out lol.)

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #LeeHollis

My Goodreads review:

Death of a Gingerbread Man (Hayley Powell Mystery)Death of a Gingerbread Man by Lee Hollis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I might’ve been hoping for too much humor this time around because even though I loved spending Christmas with Hayley and the gang, I was really disappointed there wasn’t much in the line of hilarious moments going on, especially my favorite Sergio-isms! I really missed those a lot and I hate to admit it but he was boring this time. Earl was the only person just slightly funny and Mona was kinda off her game too. We got a good dose of her usual craziness in the beginning but that was pretty much all. There was a humorous scene at a cooking lesson that Hayley gave but it didn’t involve any regulars.

I’m sure it had to do with the nature of this story though and wanting to make sure Hayley’s father, Dwight got a decent backstory and mystery which was the highlight of this book and of course a returning father would make for a more serious subject. I liked it as much as previous books, but I really didn’t have as much fun reading it.

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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Shear Terror review

Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Sewing Studio Mysteries by Dorothy Howell, and I’m liking the characters better with each book. Who wouldn’t love having an aunt like Sarah with a bakery and an awesome bestie like Caitlin?

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #DorothyHowell

My Goodreads review:

Shear Terror (A Sewing Studio Mystery)Shear Terror by Dorothy Howell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’d forgotten how funny this series could be in places, and I also remembered what a smart kitty that Cheddar, the community cat was. He definitely knew what he liked or didn’t like. I was pretty sure I knew who was behind all the mysteries going on in the town. The ending was a really satisfying one and the very ending was really sweet too!

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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