good friends – Page 12 – Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

The Witless Protection Program review

March 25, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in the Catering Hall Mysteries by Maria DiRico, better known as Ellen Byron to cozy mystery fans. I’ve absolutely loved every book in this series so far. They’re fun, hilarious and sometimes even cause a little eye leakage, mostly the happy kind like you might get when reading this book.

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My Goodreads review:

The Witless Protection Program by Maria DiRico
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really loved this installment! It was kinda the pulling together of everything and a sorta reunion of some of the past characters Mia had met up with. Something just made me think it’s sounding like it’s the end of the series but I haven’t heard anything official. If it’s the end, everyone went out with a great ending well, maybe not everyone but the key players all seemed happy.

And only Mia Carina could have all this craziness happen before and even at her wedding, lol. Tons of fun, suspense and even more hilarity to be had, so definitely don’t miss out on this book. I totally recommend reading the series from the start to get the complete character experience.

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 Unfiltered review

March 25, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the really fun Ground Rules Mysteries by Emmaline Duncan. I’ve enjoyed this series since the first book and hope there’ll be more to enjoy. It did end with a little question of maybe what we can expect in the next book. The main mystery/murder’s always solved in this series though.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #EmmalineDuncan

My Goodreads review:

Death Unfiltered by Emmeline Duncan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It was great catching up with Sage, her family and friends in this new installment. She finally had the actual shop she’d always wanted but one of the shop neighbors was a royal pain. I remembered her all too well from when Sage was set up at the music festival and couldn’t help being glad about what happened with her.

Sage’s had surprises along the line but nothing like the one that came at the showdown. I kinda hope things work out in that regard, then the very ending led to what I hope is gonna be the next book’s partial theme at least. I’m always eager to read the next in this series.

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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Murder Marks the Page review

March 24, 2024 Tari Hann

This first book in a new series was a fun spin-off from the Daisy’s Tea Garden Mysteries featuring Daisy’s daughter, Jazzi running a teashop and bookstore, hence the series name Tomes & Tea Mysteries and written by Karen Rose Smith, the author of Daisy’s series. I enjoyed meeting the new characters in this series and hope to eventually get back to Daisy’s series which I haven’t actually finished yet.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #KarenRoseSmith

My Goodreads review:

Murder Marks the Page by Karen Rose Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

While I’m not caught up with the Daisy’s Tea Garden series yet, I’ve definitely read enough to be familiar with Jazzi’s mom Daisy and her stepdad and of course, her mom’s talent for sleuthing which seems to’ve rubbed off on her daughter purely by accident, right? Jazzi must’ve paid more attention when her mom was sleuthing because she was an old pro at it except for a few times, and a crazy showdown she definitely hadn’t planned on.

I hadn’t guessed whodunit and that was definitely an exciting showdown as Jazzi took control and lit into the killer. I like these new characters in Jazzi’s life and definitely plan to read the next book. I hope a clear decision comes regarding a guy interest for her though since I’m definitely not a fan of triangles and can easily see how one could start.

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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Cats, Carats and Killers review

March 17, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the Urban Tails Pet Shop Mysteries by T.C. LoTempio (known for her fun cat-themed cozies), and I’ve enjoyed this series since it started. I’m always happy to see the latest installment and hope there’ll be many more.

#NetGalley #BeyondthePage #TCLoTempio

My Goodreads review:

Cats, Carats and Killers by T.C. LoTempio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

These cats just continue to be awesome little helpers (although sometimes mischievous) when Shell’s working on a case she’s been warned off time and again, lol. A cold case tied in with the new murder and Shell found herself diving right into it. She and Gary did the sleuthing thing so well, probably from years of practice on their spy show, but he was never with her when the super exciting (or dangerous) stuff happened. That place was reserved for one of the cats (Purrday’s my fave though!).

That was some showdown! And a really good twist too although I was really happy with whodunit. I get the feeling that Shell’s mom’s idea for the next fundraiser might just be the subject of the next book. I hope so!

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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Ill-Fated Fortune review

February 24, 2024February 24, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the first in a brand new series, Magical Fortune Cookie Mysteries by new-to-me author Jennifer J. Chow. From what I’ve read, I really enjoyed the key characters a lot, and I’m ready for more adventures. Kelvin should get a best friend award or something, he’s just an amazing friend to Felicity.

#NetGalley #StMartinsPaperbacks #JenniferJChow

My Goodreads review:

Ill-Fated Fortune: A Magical Fortune Cookie Novel by Jennifer J. Chow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed meeting Felicity, her mom and Kelvin and loved the close relationship she had with her mom. Their type of magic added happiness to their baked goods was pretty cool and even though Kelvin wasn’t magical, he was in on the secret. He was such an awesome friend to Felicity and a great sleuthing buddy.

Eventually I started suspecting someone in the murder and was right about it. That was a really unique method for offing the guy though. The showdown was exciting and Felicity was definitely holding her own and using her brains to get out in one piece. Everything turned out pretty nicely for Felicity and her mom’s bakery. I’m eager to see what adventure they get into next.

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

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Gone with the Witch review

February 22, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in the Witch Way Librarian Mysteries by Angela M. Sanders. I’ve really enjoyed this series so much and hope there’ll be more coming! This book focused on Mrs. Garlington who now wanted everyone to call her Helen. During the earlier books, she was pretty much in the background playing the organ in the library or giving lessons, but she got a much larger part in this adventure. And I loved who Josie’s sleuth buddy was this time–only a witch could make something like that happen!

If you haven’t yet read this series, I’d recommend starting at the beginning for full enjoyment as events happen, relationships grow and Josie discovers her witchy powers which eventually grow too.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #AngelaMSanders

My Goodreads review:

Gone with the Witch by Angela M. Sanders
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was so darn good! Lots of secrets were revealed and someone from the past made an appearance, or was it really that person? Was the death really a murder? Josie got the coolest sleuthing buddy ever and the two managed to untangle a really twisted-up mystery and long-buried secrets.

Meanwhile, a mysterious bookseller came to town who seemed to have Lalena extremely interested in getting to know him better. And Josie’s sleuthing partner said there was still something out there she needed to be careful about, so now I’m super eager to read the next book and see what’s up with that. I’ve already got some suspicions.

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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Five Furry Familiar review

February 21, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in the Kitchen Witch Mysteries by a fave cozy mystery author, Lynn Cahoon. I’ve enjoyed Mia Malone’s adventures since the prequel that started this series. I’d definitely recommend reading this series in order not due to spoilers but just to get the complete enjoyment from seeing Mia and Trent’s relationship grow as well as her interactions with other people in her life and how they started.

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My Goodreads review:

Five Furry Familiars by Lynn Cahoon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was another awesome adventure with Mia and her crew that’d really test Christina and Levi’s relationship as well as bring a new little life into the world. The houseful of cats along with a puppy someone gave Trent was pretty funny. Poor Mr. Darcy was probably not sure what to think about the invasion lol.

I knew who I wanted to be guilty but eventually I started putting some clues together and figured out one aspect of it. I liked the nice, offscreen arrest so at least there wasn’t a tense showdown although at a couple places I couldn’t read quick enough to make sure someone wasn’t in danger. Can’t wait for the next book!

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

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A Suspicious Breed review

February 19, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the sixth book in the Low Country Dog Walker Mysteries by Jackie Layton, and I’ve absolutely loved each book in this series. Books could work as standalones, but it’s more fun to start at the beginning and watch the various relationships and families grow. Hoping there’ll be more to come!

#NetGalley #BeyondthePage #JackieLayton

My Goodreads review:

A Suspicious Breed by Jackie Layton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve absolutely loved this entire series and hope there’ll be more adventures for Andi, Marc and all their friends and extended family. Ike was such an awesome addition back when he was added, and he got to do a little sleuthing this time. Some new family members and friends joined the flock this time and it was super su-weet, as Marc would say.

Andi had her plate full before she and her bestie had their double wedding to the loves of their lives. I was especially eager to see the rotten perp or perps brought to justice after the murder and a scheme cheating money from donors that helped dogs in need. Some awesome sleuthing followed by a quick but tense showdown, then life was back to the two weddings.

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 Smoking Bun review

February 17, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the eighteenth book in the long-running Bakeshop Mysteries by Ellie Alexander who’s no stranger to the Ashland area which is why it’s described so well and vividly in her books. Jules and her friends/family are gonna steal your heart no matter where you start in the series. I always recommend the beginning, but I’ve broken that little guideline by not being able to resist these when they come up on NetGalley, so yeah, I’ve got a little catching up to do but it’s all good!

#NetGalley #StMartinsPaperbacks #EllieAlexander

My Goodreads review:

A Smoking Bun by Ellie Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a wild case and I always love it when Jules and Lance go sleuthing together. If anything, he’s probably the best dressed sleuth around, lol. He’s not all show and stage though since sometimes he did have some valuable intel to share or ideas to sleuth out.

I wasn’t ever really sure until the actual reveal of whodunit and there were some great scenes working up to that. I loved the final scene with everyone who loved the ski lodge gathered together for food and fellowship. It’ll be interesting to see what happens next in Ashland!

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

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A Catered Quilting Bee review

February 16, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the eighteenth book in the long-running Mysteries with Recipes series by Isis Crawford , a pen name used by Barbara Block. The sisters Bernie and Libby Simmons never fail to make me laugh whenever I read one of these books. And their retired police chief dad, Sean keeps those two in line with his dad/police advice. His friend Clyde is gonna really be ready to retire once his time comes, especially with what the sisters are always asking him to do or ignore in most cases, lol.

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My Goodreads review:

A Catered Quilting Bee by Isis Crawford
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a really wild mystery with several layers going for it and a decent amount of suspects. Our fave catering duo attacked this case with their usual flair and comedic lines throughout. Sean’s detective friend Clyde must have the patience of a saint for the stuff he always let the girls slip by, lol. All in good fictional fun though!

That was some showdown and impressive escape by the sisters who added a little information to Clyde’s explanation of everything at the end. And what case is complete without a toast, right? Till next time, Simmons sisters!

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

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