good friends – Page 20 – Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

Bake Offed review

November 28, 2022November 28, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the eighth book in the Five-Ingredient Mysteries by Maya Corrigan who started this series back in 2014. I have all of them up to this one and probably no excuse for not having read any except the first book. But I’m really impressed that this book didn’t have any spoilers or anything that’d ruin my enjoyment of going back and reading in order. Granddad was my fave character in the first book and he continues that role as I’m sure he’ll pick up once I get back to the series.

Just for fun, I read my GR review of By Cook or by Crook (the first book) but obviously it didn’t tell me much more than the official synopsis since I’m not one to repeat what the blurb already says as part of my reviews. I might just need to give it a quick refresher read because I can’t honestly remember who Val’s love interest was! But hey it was 2019 and I’ve read literally hundreds of books since then. Reading this latest book reignited my initial love of the series though!

My Goodreads review:

Bake Offed by Maya Corrigan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was so much fun and Granddad was at the top of his sleuthing game. Somehow I knew from the minute he found that Nero Wolfe recipe box that something was gonna happen to it. And it was so cool to read in the acknowledgement section that there was really such a thing as this publicity item back in the day. I haven’t quite had the time to curiosity-check it on eBay, but I’m really interested in seeing what it looked like.

It made perfect sense that at a mystery convention there’d be plenty of people with secrets and things to hide. Val’s old friend Roy was on the case. I felt sorry for poor Bethany through all this craziness as she tried to keep her event going as best she could. I was never completely sure whodunit, but everything including the saga of Granddad’s recipe box whereabouts were all wrapped up nicely at the end.

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 on the Class Trip review

November 23, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Maya and Sandra Mysteries by brother/sister writing duo Lee Hollis. I’ve read all their series and really love the characters they come up with along with the sometimes downright hilarious situations said characters find themselves in. A couple of PTO moms who’re different as night and day describe our sleuths Maya and Sandra, but they’re formed an amazing friendship and work relationship as well. It’ll be interesting to see what’s in store for them next!

My Goodreads review:

Murder on the Class Trip by Lee Hollis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This series isn’t quite as hilariously funny as the author’s Hayley Powell series, but there were some pretty funny moments in this since a group of high school seniors were on a class trip to DC. I could just picture good ole Clancy the bus driver maneuvering around DC while Maya and Sandra had him chasing down a wayward student. Can you just see him if the kids had talked him into stalking the red hot light at the famous donut place for them? It was funny enough just thinking about him getting 35 chicken nugget meals in the drive-thru, lol.

The murder was a twisty one where any number of people could’ve done it, but Sandra’s main concern was finding out Stephen wasn’t guilty-she never thought so. Sandra’s come a long way as an investigator since the very first book, and I believe Maya might just be pretty proud of how she’s turned out. With Maya’s ex out of prison now, both the ladies had some new futures to look forward to, although I’m pretty sure Sandra’s won’t include much of Stephen!

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Grilled 4 Murder review

November 11, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the tenth book in the hilarious Sophie Kimball Mysteries series written by husband and wife team J.C. Eaton also known as Sun City West residents themselves, Ann Goldfarb and Jim Clapp. I felt so bad for them when I read how the inspiration for the rascally Streetman, their Streetboy, had gone to Rainbow Bridge. I’m happy he’ll live on in silly Streetman who now has a little partner in craziness! It’s always so fun to get lost in the world of Sun City West and the ever-patient Phee who has to deal with everything.

#JCEaton #BeyondthePage

My Goodreads review:

Grilled 4 Murder (Sophie Kimball Mystery, #10 by J.C. Eaton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Sun City West book club ladies and their buddies the pinochle guys were in rare form this time! There’s never a dull moment where either group is concerned, and there was plenty of hilarity to go along with it. Harriet and the ladies especially had an agenda since Paul and Herb were the top suspects in a guy’s death. The side stories that went along with it, especially little Streetman finding himself a cat friend just added to the usual craziness!

I love all these characters and think it’s pretty awesome that the couple who writes this series actually lives out there. I’ve heard them talking online about how everyday life is sometimes fair game to make it into a book, lol. I’m really crazy about Streetman, although in real life he probably wouldn’t like me that well since he doesn’t seem to like anyone except Harriet lol. Now that he had a partner in crime and mischief, there was no stopping him! The whodunit kept me guessing until the reveal. I absolutely can’t wait for the next in series. It’s always a barrel of fun!

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

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Dead Men Don’t Decorate review

November 8, 2022November 8, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the first of a brand new series called Old Town Antiques Mysteries by Cordy Abbott who some may know she’s also Lane Stone, cozy mystery author of the Pet Palace Mysteries from a few years ago. I didn’t feel quite like I was breaking in a brand new author because I really loved the Pet Palace series and found this one to be just as description, pet and detail driven. I’m hoping there’ll be more in this series–there’s so much that could happen with these friends!

My Goodreads review:

Dead Men Don’t Decorate by Cordy Abbott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I knew when I found out that Cordy Abbott is really Lane Stone whose books I read in the Pet Palace series that I’d like this book, and there’d be plenty of cute dogs and great local descriptions. I wasn’t wrong, and I enjoyed both a lot. The shout out to the Pet Palace was cool and all I could think was “Yay for Sue, she’s expanded into another location.” lol.

Camille and Opal are a good match in friends. Opal’s crazy and outspoken sometimes but she pairs well with her buddy’s quieter nature. I wish things could’ve worked out for Camille and Brennan though since Opal’s got her David. But maybe it’ll happen in another book because the ending did sound hopeful in that regard.

Boy was that one exciting showdown! I’d sorta guessed whodunit or had a good idea of it. Camille really had to keep her head about her but luckily Rizzoli (unluckily for her since Rizzoli was a rambunctious puppy!) was along and sniffed out her missing daddy. What followed was some great action with a good dose of tenseness, but with some teamwork, the perp was caught.

Once everything was solved, it was easy to relax and know that some of the characters I wondered about could definitely be trusted. I really hope there’s another book coming soon because there’d seem to be no end to mysteries you could find in an antique shop! And I loved the budding romance between Paul and Pepper as well as Janie and Nick. I’ll be curious to see if little Rizzoli girl ever gets some puppy training!

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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A Book Club to Die For

November 1, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Beloved Bookroom Mysteries by Dorothy St. James, and I’ve loved reading this series from its very beginning. It’s horrible to even imagine a bookless library, but I what I’ve loved most was Tru and her friends’ determination to see real books survive by rescuing the discards to the basement secret library. To make matters even worse, this time the story featured a LIFU (librarian of the future, um no thank you!) robot unit that didn’t do much to prove its worth.

I’m definitely hoping for more books in this series because I’d love to see Jace and Tru get their happily ever after! And I’ll always hope the real books can come back to the library and live in peace along with the awesome technology (which hopefully wouldn’t include LIFU!). But for now it’s fun to see how people really love using the secret bookroom.

#BerkleyPublishing #DorothyStJames

My Goodreads review:

A Book Club to Die for by Dorothy St. James
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just when you thought a bookless library couldn’t get any worse, the Cypress library was now testing a robot librarian which definitely had its glitches! I mean face it, nobody can get after you in a whisper quite like Lida Farnsworth, Tru’s boss, lol.

There were several secrets that came to light while Tru was sleuthing the latest murder that took place right in Jace’s parents’ house. Since he couldn’t be involved in this investigation, Tru was even more determined to help his mom. At the point where Tru gathered quite a few clues, I was starting to get an idea of whodunit, and I was right, but it wasn’t until later in the book.

The showdown was planned and worked out as well as they could expect. I love it when the main sleuth works with the police and keeps any possible damage to a minimum! I hope more books are planned for the series–I’d really love for the books to come back out and coexist with the technology like all the normal libraries I’ve ever seen. I think I could live without the LIFU though! 😉

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

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High Spirits review

October 24, 2022October 24, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Haunted Haven Mysteries by cozy author Carol J. Perry who also writes the Witch City Mysteries. I’ve enjoyed this series a lot so far having read the first book last year. This one wrapped up everything nice and neat, but I do hope there’re more planned for this series. I really like these characters and ghosts and definitely want more stories about them!

#KensingtonCozies #CarolJPerry

My Goodreads review:

High Spirits by Carol J. Perry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It was fun visiting the Haven House Inn again. The resident ghost Lorna just cracks me up–and now she’s got a boyfriend ghost! I think Maureen had fun ‘lending’ her clothes to her since the ghost is able to just assume the image of them on her. A win-win situation since Lorna looked great in anything and Maureen’s outfits were safe from any accidents. Maureen’s dog was quite a fan of Lorna’s too since she kept him occupied during the day by reading books about dogs to him.

Ted and Maureen made the cutest couple as they worked and sleuthed together on the latest murder that was almost getting impossible to figure out. But Officer Hubbard seemed to think Maureen had some type of inner vision or something because he insisted she could help solve this. I got a kick out of him having to haul his mom and Aster to a couple of the Dinner and a Movie nights.

I enjoyed the sleuthing for clues and liked that the showdown wasn’t as dangerous as it could’ve been. The perp was caught and now onto the business of more inn renovations. It was cool how the epilogue spanned a little bit longer and told various things that happened along with wrapping up the case nicely. I sure hope there’s more of these books planned. While it didn’t end with questions exactly, I’d still like to read more in this fun little Florida world and maybe get to know more of the ghosts there 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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A Trip With Trouble review

October 23, 2022October 23, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Mountain Lodge Mysteries which started in 2021 but for some reason it just seems like it’s been longer since I read that first book. The series is by Diane Kelly, no stranger to writing cozy mysteries with memorable characters and awesome pets. I really love the three series I currently read by her and it’s always so hard to wait for the next book!

#St.Martin’sPaperbacks #DianeKelly

My Goodreads review:

A Trip with Trouble by Diane Kelly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It was fun visiting the Mountaintop Lodge again and for some reason it just seemed like forever since I’d read that first book, but the characters were so memorable there was absolutely no problem getting settled back in with Misty, Rocky and Brynn, and of course Yeti kitty and Molasses aka Mo, Rocky’s dog. I always like those short scenes from Yeti’s viewpoint since she sometimes sees stuff before the humans do or observes it differently. Too bad she can’t tell the humans, lol.

Misty hosted a lively but orderly group and I was honestly sad when one of their own was who was murdered this time. Misty and Rocky’s sleuthing together is always lots of fun, but she got with Brynn for part of it too. Was it one of the motorcycle club members who’d had too much of the lady or was a family member? Or some random stranger? Misty had all kinds of questions in her mind and worked closely with Deputy Gillespie to flush out their killer.

There were a couple side mysteries which could’ve easily been connected to the murder…were they or weren’t they? You’ll have to read for yourselves and find out in a couple days when this book releases on October 25. I can’t wait for the next one!

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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A Doomful of Sugar review

October 21, 2022October 21, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the first book in a brand new series, Maple Syrup Mysteries by well-known cozy mystery author Catherine Bruns. One of my fave series of hers is the Cindy York Mysteries, but one thing’s for sure, she always writes about likable and fun characters you end up wanting to be friends with. Now that I’ve read this first book, I’m super eager to read the next one! This book releases next Tuesday, October 25, 2022.

#St.MartinPaperbacks #CatherineBruns

My Goodreads review:

A Doomful of Sugar by Catherine Bruns
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This author never disappoints, so I really loved this first in her new Maple Syrup series. I felt so bad for Leila coming home under the circumstances she did and could see why she was more determined than ever to find her dad’s killer. When more bodies started falling, I’m sure she wondered if she’d gotten involved a little too much, yikes! But she was hurting and ready to lash out at everyone at first as far as making them part of her suspect list. It was pretty sweet what changed her mind about one of the people on her list! 😉

There were a couple of really good twists toward the end and I hadn’t really seen either of them coming, maybe one more than another one. But Leila handled things well with a little help from a new friend. I loved how everyone gathered to celebrate Leila’s dad at the end and get all the loose ends explained from the case. There were a couple of side stories that made for great red herrings! I really can’t wait now for the next book since things progressed pretty much like I’d hoped! Don’t miss this fun new series releasing October 25.

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

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Canter With a Killer review

October 15, 2022October 15, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the first book in a brand new series, A Horse Rescue Mystery by new cozy mystery author Amber Camp who as you can see from her Amazon page (which I linked because it’s way more interesting than the one GR has for her– she’s in a picture with her horse) loves horses and all kinds of creatures just like her main character and works as a nurse like Mal did as well. She’s definitely writing what she knows about and loves, which is evident when you read this book. After the very sweet ending of this book, I’m eager for the next one!

Since Biscuit the donkey was a hero of sorts, I just had to search out a cute donkey image for this post.

#CrookedLaneBooks #AmberCamp

My Goodreads review:

Canter With a Killer by Amber Camp
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was such a fun start for a new series by a new cozy author! I loved the idea of a horse farm and rescue. I’ve never actually been around horses but I sure like them a lot (especially my niece’s awesome horse,) so to me, it’s a unique job for a main character for a little change-up. Mal was a good main character and seems to have come a long way since her divorce. I was proud of how she didn’t take any lip from one of the business owners who’d been said to be spreading rumors that she was who killed her grouchy neighbor.

I really liked Mallory’s bestie Lanie a lot, what a hoot! She and hubby Bill were two of the nicest people, and anyone would be proud to call those two friends! Bill was such a big ole teddy bear and so sweet to back Mal in her quest for doing business with someone who didn’t think she was a killer. Mal’s two college-age volunteers were just the best in what they did. I can totally see how Ashley and Tanner filled the void in Mal’s life that her daughter occupied when she was home. It’ll be interesting to see Mal and Ginny work together when Ginny completes her vet degree.

I hadn’t honestly suspected whodunit but it was a different twist for sure. What a great showdown, go Biscuit, you cute li’l bodyguard donkey! I loved the very ending and now I’m eager for more in the series.

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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Live and Let Grind review

October 12, 2022October 12, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the super fun A Coffee Lover’s Mystery series by Tara Lush. By this third book, I’m really enjoying and getting to know these characters even better and see how Lana and her friends all connect as a team and friends. I liked the addition of a new friend in this book and hope she visits again in the upcoming books. I’m eager to read the next book when it comes out, probably in about a year.

#CrookedLaneBooks #TaraLush

My Goodreads review:

Live and Let Grind by Tara Lush
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was so good in so many ways! It’s funny to the point of hilarious at some points, then it’s just sweet in other places. The mystery was a super good one and while there was someone I hoped was guilty and someone I hoped wasn’t, I’m not sure I was ever 100% sure until the showdown. Lana and Joey zooming off on a jet ski just cracked me up! These friends were unstoppable when it came to proving their buddy Erica’s innocence. If a person ever needed to be proven innocent of something, they’d definitely want a friend like Lana!

I got the biggest kick out of Lana’s hippie dad, but when he’s not off on one of his crazy missions or agendas, he’s an awesome dad and café worker. Lana’s done a lot of growing and maturing since the first book and since she’s such a workaholic, I was happy to see her finally come across something she enjoyed doing just for the fun of it as you’ll see at the end. I loved how everything was explained at the end. I never feel like there’s a loose thread in this series. It’s all always really well-explained. 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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