good friends – Page 19 – Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

Flat White Fatality review

May 22, 2023May 22, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Ground Rules Mysteries by Emmaline Duncan. It’s set in Portland, Oregon in the food cart scene among all the fun and hip people who design games or have startup companies. I sure didn’t like that guy that Sage and Harley used to work for or that she was worried they hadn’t seen the last of him. He just seemed like he’d be a jerk they didn’t need in their business lives anymore. Hopefully he’ll just belly-up and go away, lol, not him literally but his business. Join Sage and all her friends in this latest installment which goes on sale tomorrow, Tuesday, May 23, 2023.

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My Goodreads review:

Flat White Fatality by Emmeline Duncan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A good and interesting murder mystery that kept me reading! It seemed like an impossible case for both the real police and Sage who was determined to find out who killed her boyfriend’s employee in Sage and Harley’s roastery. It made Harley look bad since she might’ve been the last to see the woman alive. When the clues started coming together, I had an idea of whodunit and was right, but it was fun to see how the takedown would go.

The showdown was a good one–I love when the perp incriminates themselves and someone thought to record the whole thing. The very ending was super sweet and just plain awesome as Sage, Bax and Niko celebrated Halloween in a very special way! Don’t miss this latest installment of the Ground Rules Mysteries available tomorrow, Tuesday, May 23, 2023.

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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Poppy Harmon and the Shooting Star review

May 19, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in the Desert Flowers Mysteries by Lee Hollis, brother/sister duo Rick Copp and Holly Simason and it might be my fave so far. I always love reading about Poppy and her investigator team that’s faced by Matt, an actor when he can get a gig. The ladies were definitely coming into their own and getting a name for themselves, so much that they were approached a few times in this mystery to be hired. Don’t miss this book that releases Tuesday, May 23, 2023 because Poppy’s side mystery in it had a super sweet outcome!

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My Goodreads review:

Poppy Harmon and the Shooting Star by Lee Hollis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

With all the secrets and underhanded goings-on in the entertainment scene, I’m sure Poppy and her team were super happy to have each other knowing they could at least trust the team members. Aside from them and the police, I wasn’t sure who to trust either, but as always Poppy plowed ahead and figured things out. Iris always cracks me up because she’s just so blunt and believes in telling it like it should be, and Violet’s grandson Wyatt’s just grown into an amazing teen and still shines as their tech expert.

The staged showdown was pretty awesome. Poppy had her own little side mystery that I was really happy had an amazing outcome! Gotta admit, at times I was a bit worried what she’d find out. Don’t miss this installment, available next Tuesday, March 23, 2023.

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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Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust review

April 14, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Deep Dish Mysteries by Mindy Quigley, and the characters quickly became some of my fave cozy characters. I hope the series continues because Dee and her friends seem to have a bunch more stories to tell. One character I got the biggest kick out of was Molly aka Mac who was Delilah’s hostess’s cousin. That girl was so hilarious and charismatic (she got Auntie Biz to smile!)–what’s even more fun is at the end where you find the recipes, you’ll see the first one written in the voice of Mac herself. Auntie Biz’s recipe was pretty funny too!

#NetGalley #St.MartinPaperbacks #MindyQuigley

My Goodreads review:

Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust by Mindy Quigley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another visit to Geneva Bay around Labor Day was pretty exciting and not just because of the festival and local vendor food tasting contest. The place was rich in mobster history, and Delilah worried that maybe one was back to find something he lost while in prison. Auntie Biz was a little grouchier than usual and it turned out she had a good reason.

Delilah’s a great main character and I admire her strength but dang it, girl, can’t you just let people be nice and do stuff for you? LOL, she might be working on that. Lots of little side mysteries were going on but everything wrapped up nicely at the end. For a while though I was worried there was one part that wasn’t gonna be solved, but no worries! The ending was a little odd but I’m betting Delilah did the best thing for everyone concerned. Can’t let out too much, you’ll just have to grab this when it goes on sale Tuesday, April 25, 2023.

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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Paper Cuts review

April 10, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the sixth book in the Secret, Book & Scone Society Mysteries by Ellery Adams, another favorite cozy mystery writer. I’ve loved everything I’ve ever read of hers, and I haven’t even made it all the way through her backlist of older books. I’ve read this series since the very beginning and love how it always draws me in and makes me wanna settle in and stay in Miracle Springs for a while.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #ElleryAdams

My Goodreads review:

Paper Cuts by Ellery Adams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This series always brings such a satisfying read! It’s like hanging out with old friends when I read about Nora and her friends. Her girlfriends are amazing and employee-now-friend Sheldon’s just awesome! I love that Nora and Grant were close and he was able to assure her through the whole ordeal of her being a suspect. A new friend joined the cast of regulars and I’m eager to see what future books hold for that person. And someone’s getting a sweet surprise of our regular friends.

A woman who just needed forgiveness and was sick with cancer was murdered which was super sad especially because of her son she left. I had to hand it to Kirk and Val though. They were genuine troopers as they tried to come through for their grieving little nephew, a sweet boy with Asperger’s. It was great how that whole topic was handled. I’ve heard of it from online friends but never knew of a child with it, but I had a feeling the Walsh family was gonna be fine after they met a helpful child psychologist.

There was one really exciting part and poor Nora’s arm took the brunt of that showdown, but all ended well. And comeuppance did come to everyone who deserved it–I can at least say that without spoiling anything. The very ending was slightly different but a really good one. Can’t wait for the next book! Don’t miss this sixth installment available April 25, 2023.

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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Four Parties and a Funeral review

April 4, 2023April 4, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the hilariously fun Catering Hall Mysteries by Maria DiRico, better known to cozy mystery fans as Ellen Byron. I’ve loved every book in this series, and they just keep getting better! It’s awfully hard to wait for the next one!!

#KensingtonCozies #NetGalley #MariaDiRico #EllenByron

My Goodreads review:

Four Parties and a Funeral by Maria DiRico
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I always have the best time reading this series! Mia makes me think of an Italian Fran Fine, well voice-wise anyway, lol. She had her hands full helping to babysit bridesmaids when Madison’s maid of honor went into rehab, then she had to deal with a film crew doing a reality show of what else, wannabe dons of course! And their ladies, but one of the crew or someone had it in for the CEO so now Mia had a murder she couldn’t resist snooping into as well.

There were so many funny scenes, you just gotta read it to appreciate everything! The showdown was a good one, and I hadn’t really suspected the whodunit. The side story of Shane having something to hide was resolved nicely for him and Mia, and now I just have to wait (im)patiently for the next book!

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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Witch Way Out review

March 30, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the fun, magical Full Moon Mysteries series by Cate Conte who wrote the Cat Café series under this pen name and the Pawsitively Organic cozy mysteries under her Liz Mugavero identity. I’ve enjoyed some books from all the series and am up to date with Full Moon. Always some good characters and engaging plots whether you read her as Cate or Liz!

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My Goodreads review:

Witch Way Out by Cate Conte
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Violet had enough witchy world issues to worry about, so she definitely didn’t need the murder of a mortal who was running the spring equinox festival. At least the police didn’t seem too interested in her as a suspect. With another genieing in her witch world, Violet couldn’t help worrying she might be next since the battle seemed never to end.

The showdowns for both the murder and the magical issue were good ones and finally there seemed to be peace in both worlds. Some secrets had come out and explanations were made. And finally Violet seemed to have a good man in her life as well. I’m not sure if this is supposed to be the last in the series, but if it does end here, it’s all in a really good place.

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 Flicker of a Doubt review

March 29, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the Fairy Garden Mysteries by Daryl Wood Gerber, and it’s just too much fun getting to visit with Courtney and her adorable garden fairy, Fiona. It was another enjoyable mystery with secrets, surprises and everything you could ask for in a magical cozy!

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My Goodreads review:

A Flicker of a Doubt by Daryl Wood Gerber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Always an enchanting visit to Carmel to hang out with Courtney and all her friends/family and garden fairies like Fiona. I just love Fiona! She’s really learning a lot and she’s come sooo far from that first book and the stuff she tried to pull! There were some cool new things Fiona found out about too.

I was never really sure whodunit until Courtney found out. I loved how Fiona was able to help, but Courtney wasn’t too shabby herself as she kept the perp talking and remembered a karate move Ziggy taught her. Brady and Courtney were still in a good relationship place with really too much going on as far as the murder went to even interact a whole lot. They need to take a relaxing trip between books lol. With everything wrapped up neatly at the end, there was still somewhat of a shocker and now I’m beyond eager to see what happens 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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Curds of Prey review

March 28, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Cheese Shop Mysteries by Korina Moss and it’s quickly become one of my “don’t wanna miss this” series. I love the camaraderie Willa has both at work and outside the job with her employees now friends, Archie and Mrs. Schultz (who we learned does have a first name lol). Baz has been and keeps on being an amazing friend to Willa who like her seems to be looking for just the right companion of the opposite sex. But at least they can commiserate together when or if they’re neither one successful. I think it’s cool how he reminds Willa of her late brother.

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My Goodreads review:

Curds of Prey by Korina Moss
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I always love a visit to this cute little California town to see what Willa and her friends are up to. Leave it to Willa to have one of the most dysfunctional but important families commission her catering services that ended up having a murder connected with it. Meanwhile, since her sorta-boyfriend Roman was sorta involved-ish, Willa had to sort out her feelings for him and if her future wanted to include him at all.

We met some interesting but suspicious characters, and all the investigating led to a good showdown where Willa did at least have some friends as backup. The Valentine’s Day party had been the reveal for the town pickpocket, so that side mystery was cleared up as well. Instead of sweating whether she had a date or not, Willa just enjoyed some good times with her amazing friends.

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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The Raven Thief review

March 20, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the super fun Secret Staircase Mysteries by Gigi Pandian who also writes the series The Accidental Alchemist and Jaya Jones. I’d always been a fan of Nancy Drew and her never-ending times she’d find secret stairways or hidden panels, so this series is right up my alley. The characters are pretty amazing and I quickly felt like they were friends back when I read the first book. This book releases tomorrow, March 21, 2023, so don’t miss it if you read the first one! I’d honestly recommend reading in order for the most enjoyment.

My Goodreads review:

The Raven Thief by Gigi Pandian
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This second in series was just as good as the first and in some ways even better. I liked the creepiness factor of the mysterious ravens hanging around and the descriptions of all the cool secret passageways and panels that Tempest’s dad put in all the construction he did. I’d love to have a secret room like hers!

There were quite a few suspects but eventually got suspicious of someone and it ended up being right. Although I still went down all the rabbit holes and enjoyed the ride to find out for sure if I was right. I love how misdirection always plays a part in these books, and it’s pretty awesome how Tempest figured everything out. She had her good pal Samjay helping along with bestie Ivy. Gideon got in on helping as well, so the four made a good team. It’ll be interesting to see what adventure they get into next!

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

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Primer and Punishment review

February 21, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in the House Flipper Mysteries by Diane Kelly, and it’s become my favorite so far. There was a lot going on and tons of secrets people were keeping, so it wasn’t easy to zone in on one suspect. I definitely didn’t guess this one right but I sure enjoyed it a lot! If you’ve followed the series from the beginning like I have, you’re gonna love the ending! Can’t wait for the next book!

My Goodreads review:

Primer and Punishment: A House-Flipper Mystery by Diane Kelly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This might just be my fave of the series so far with a murder mystery set on a lake and with Whit’s bestie Colette getting married soon. That was a pretty cool flip and a great idea Buck had to buy and rehab an old houseboat. They were definitely lucky Buck had the foresight to ask the neighbor to move his boat out while he grilled, or Whitney and Buck could’ve ended up in the same shape as their neighbor which wasn’t too good!

I was really surprised by the killer since I had someone else in mind. The showdown was exciting and Collin ended up getting his perp. But he’d be sure to tell everyone that Whitney had lots to do with pointing him in the right direction. I liked Dep. Fire Marshal Landreth’s character. She was fair and actually was very open to Whit and Buck as far as accepting info on the case.

The events following the murder solving were just fun and the ending of the book was so darn sweet. Now I really can’t wait for the next book!

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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