good friends – Page 23 – Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

No Parm No Foul review

July 26, 2022July 26, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the second in the Grilled Cheese Mysteries by Linda Reilly, a well-established cozy mystery author of a couple other series. Who doesn’t love a yummy and comforting grilled cheese sandwich? I knew I’d love this series when I first saw it and it’s not been a disappointment at all. There’re even some recipes at the end of the book for some of the cheesy sandwich goodness featured in the story.

I really loved this book and was thrilled to see I really won’t have to wait a year for the next book since Cheddar Late Than Dead releases January 31, 2023. (Be sure to click through to the Amazon page and read the synopsis–this sounds like another good one!) I know I can’t wait to catch back up with these book friends.

#PoisonedPenPress #LindaReilly

My Goodreads review:

No Parm No Foul by Linda Reilly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this Halloween time visit to Vermont and Carly’s grilled cheese eatery. I wish that place was real! I’m not much on fancy grilled cheeses, but I bet she still would make an awesome regular one! I loved sweet Evelyn’s character and how she played a part in Carly figuring out whodunit. I’m happy that in the first book Carly reconciled with Gina and now they were the best of buddies especially when it came to sharing sleuthing secrets or tossing around case ideas.

There were a lot of possible suspects and I wasn’t sure until one clue stuck out then more started coming. The showdown was pretty exciting and help came from a super unlikely source, wait’ll you read about that, it’s pretty cool.

I’m really happy with where Carly and Ari are in their relationship especially at the end of the book! That makes me wish another book wasn’t a year away, but I guess I’ll appreciate it a lot more if I have to wait. I’ve really come to think of these characters as old friends now and once again I’m so happy that a main character actually has a good relationship with her mom and the mom is equally nice to her daughter. Even Carly’s stepdad’s a sweetie! Till next time, Carly and Crew!

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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Death of an Ice Cream Scooper review

July 22, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the fifteenth book in the long-running Hayley Powell Food & Spirits series by brother and sister duo, Lee Hollis. I love how the characters have grown and changed since the first book but yet they’re familiarly the same and so much fun to feel like you’re coming home to Bar Harbor and hanging out with these people.

I’m just crazy about the little dachshund on the cover! Sprinkles might not have a huge role in the book, but just being a buddy to Leroy while Hayley and Sprinkles’ doggie mom Lynette walked them was super cute. I love how it was described that Sprinkles brought out the puppy in Leroy.

#KensingtonCozies #LeePowell

My Goodreads review:

Death of an Ice Cream Scooper by Lee Hollis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book 15 and Hayley’s going strong! I love the characters and town as much as when I first picked up the debut book. And just as I was wondering if we were getting any of his famous Sergio-isms, he didn’t disappoint!

There was a lot going on this time. Dustin’s as grown of a man as he could possibly be now while Gemma was roasting away in a New York summer as she was telling her mom. Three of Hayley’s friends had new boyfriends, Liddy was getting an expensive mansion as a listing and all through this, Hayley was trying to figure out who killed the ice cream scooper.

I loved the mention of the ice cream shop owner’s little dachshund, Sprinkles! He sounded adorable and good old Leroy, Hayley’s beloved Shih-Tzu was still plugging along and finding his second wind when Sprinkles was around. Which to the dachshund lover (me) wasn’t quite enough, but I’ll take whatever I can get of a dachsie in the story! I’m always grateful when one shows up!

In true Hayley fashion, she found herself in quite a predicament but managed to slip out of it only to confront a killer not long after. But all went well, ending in the familiar family get-together that I always love about this series. I’m sure it won’t take Hayley long to transition into her new role! I’m being purposely vague and leaving out anything I personally would’ve thought was a spoiler before reading this book. You can get the whole scoop (ice cream pun intended) on July 26 when it releases!

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

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A Perilous Pal review

June 29, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the A Friend for Hire Mysteries by one of my fave authors, Laura Bradford who’s managed to incorporate now two of her older series in this particular book. I always think it’s especially cool when an author does that, and now I’m really hoping a future Friend for Hire book has that road trip in it that Emma and Kim were talking about!

And the other series written by this author that Dottie loves so much is always in the background because it’s the basis of her amateur sleuthing. I enjoy Dottie’s character so much. She’s not a huggy-huggy grandmotherly type, but she’s a fiercely loyal friend who cares about Emma a lot even though she never really comes out and says it. They make an unlikely but still well-matched pair of friends, and I sure love their banter!

You could probably still read and enjoy this without reading the first book, but why deny yourself that fun? I recommend reading it and getting to know the characters, then they’ll feel like old friends!

#BerkleyPublishing #LauraBradford

My Goodreads review:

A Perilous Pal by Laura Bradford
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I thought I loved the first book, but I think I like this one even better! It’s so awesome how all of Emma’s clients so far still play an active part in her life, and that she’s come to care about all of them even to the point of being besties with Stephanie. When her newest client was tossed in jail for killing her husband, it didn’t seem like the poor woman had any chance of getting out. But with Dottie and Steph’s sleuthing help, Emma finally gave way to another investigation.

I get such a kick out of sassy senior Dottie! I wanna be her when I’m eighty! I already have the “only reads cozy mysteries” part down, but I’m not real sure I’d make a very good sleuth. Although I did randomly guess whodunit! 😉 I loved the visit with John and Andy and how Emma was trying to matchmake Steph and Andy. I started suspecting something that could end up to be a sweet reunion if it was true…

And Big Max’s character is so awesome! He’s such a sweetheart, and I love that Steph got to meet him this time. Emma’s relationship with Jack was growing, and it was sweet when Scout got to visit with his son Tommy.

This was a mystery full of twists and surprises, and the only thing I was pretty sure of was that Kim wasn’t guilty despite her journal ramblings about ways to kill her husband. It was pretty clever how Emma went about proving whodunit then was safely visiting Kim while the police picked up the perp.

The very ending was just awesome! I absolutely can’t wait for the next book and what might unfold in it!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Berkley Publishing via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own. If you liked the first book, don’t miss this one which releases next week on July 5.

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A Catered Doggie Wedding

June 28, 2022 Tari Hann

This is book 17 in the long running Mysteries with Recipes series by Isis Crawford. Unfortunately, I can’t link the series from 17’s page because this newer listing doesn’t have the series separately clickable, but this link goes to the series page showing the first sixteen books. And my review below should take you to the page for book 17.

It’s always a guaranteed good time with the Simmons sisters, their boyfriends they chill at RJ’s with and of course, Dad and his police buddy, Clyde. Libby and Bernie’s employee Googie (aka George) and his girlfriend were featured in this book. The dog wedding idea sounded super cute, but someone in town (like the scrooge in the shop next door) didn’t want it to happen, but would she resort to murder? Grab this from wherever you buy books or your library and find out!

#KensingtonCozies #IsisCrawford

My Goodreads review:

A Catered Doggie Wedding by Isis Crawford
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another fun and lots of the time funny adventure with Libby and Bernie! Those two never disappoint in how they just crack me up with their crazy banter, and the banter among other characters is always priceless and sometimes great comic relief! I just love their dad and I get such a kick out of Clyde, his police friend who slips them info sometimes in exchange for food and yummy baked items his wife won’t let him have, lol.

This was one twisty mystery with more suspects and red herrings as it progressed, not to mention more bodies. What started the whole things was kinda cool as Libby and Bernie found out later…but meeting up with a killer wasn’t so cool. Reinforcements came just in time though, and the dog wedding was saved from being scrapped. I was happy that everyone who wasn’t a killer but might’ve done something they’d regret ended up having to account for that.

Everything was wrapped up and explained at the end and of course, one of the goldens, Bertha or Ernie or maybe one of the doggie guests stole the last funny scene.

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 Hint of Mischief review

June 26, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Fairy Garden Mysteries by well-known cozy author Daryl Wood Gerber, and I believe it might be my favorite so far. The characters were really well-developed to begin with, but by now (since there’s always a year between these books) I felt like I could just pick up and remember more about them. I love reading about someone’s wonder and delight whenever they first see a fairy in the series or haven’t been able to see one all that long, it’s just really cool! The very ending was super sweet and magical!

#KensingtonCozies #DarylWoodGerber

My Goodreads review:

A Hint of Mischief by Daryl Wood Gerber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It was fun to catch up with Courtney and her friends, and especially her sweet little fairy friend, Fiona. That little girl’s come a long way since the first book! I think she’s gonna make the queen fairy really proud someday soon. I just wish Courtney could get her dad to believe. Can you imagine what Det. Summers would say or do if Kip did believe? I don’t think he’d let him live it down LOL!

The mystery had a lot of twists, turns and great red herrings, so I was never really sure whodunit until Courtney came up with it. That was one tense showdown and while Courtney used what she had in her defense, I think I agree with her dad and would like to see her take more self-defense classes. I enjoyed the little side story of the fairy door mystery.

I was so happy to see Courtney and Brady getting closer and what happened at the very end was super sweet! He’s such a keeper! Can’t wait for the next installment!

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 Belles Too Many review

June 21, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in the Sarah Blair Mysteries by Debra H. Goldstein. While the story being a reality show set wasn’t a favorite of mine, I did like the very last part probably best of all the books. I’ve followed the series from the beginning, and Sarah’s definitely come a long way, and she’s even respected enough by Officer Robinson that he had her helping out a little when the murder happened. I just wish she’d see the great guy right in front of her instead of needing a diversion (who thankfully wasn’t in the book lol.)

#KensingtonCozies #DebraHGoldstein

My Goodreads review:

Five Belles Too Many by Debra H. Goldstein
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Even though I wasn’t crazy about the reality show theme of this book, it was a still a good mystery with all the usual Jane drama and Maybelle thrown in for a little comic relief. I’m just not a reality show fan, so this won’t be up there as a favorite from the series or anything.

I did enjoy the idea of Cliff being in the book and not Glenn. I’ve been Team Cliff since the beginning and sometimes I’d like to pound a little sense into Sarah for pulling away from him. But maybe the author might surprise us and get them back together, at least I hope so! They had some good scenes together, so that made me a little hopeful! The author did a great job of making readers miss Sarah’s cute pets as much as Sarah herself did since they weren’t allowed to be anywhere near the show set.

I wasn’t really sure whodunit and followed along until I had some suspicions as more information was available. The showdown was tense, but the cavalry came through. And the ending was just the sweetest ever! I absolutely loved what happened.

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

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Death by Beach Read-review

June 6, 2022June 6, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the ninth book in the Lighthouse Library Mysteries by Eva Gates also known as Vicki Delany. You can check the links to see what she’s written under both, but I know she’s used the Eva Gates exclusively for the Lighthouse Library.

I just love this long-running series and how all the characters have grown and developed. Probably the most changed was Louise Jane. She went from being someone I absolutely couldn’t stand to someone who’s actually a decent supporting character now. Yep, she’ll never get over loving to tease Lucy (because Lucy’s just so teasable, lol.), but since she’s now the proud inhabitant of the Lighthouse Aerie, part of her lifelong dream came true. I believe Louise Jane might just achieve complete happiness if she could adopt a ghost as a pet or a roommate!

My Goodreads review:

Death by Beach Read by Eva Gates
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lucy and Connor didn’t exactly count on a ghostly roommate when they started working on fixing up the Harper house on the beach, but good ole Louise Jane’s always hoping for a new haunt to talk about. Lucy didn’t think for a minute that the noises she heard in their house had anything to do with a ghost but more like a flesh ‘n blood intruder…which they’d find out soon enough when a guy was killed in their house.

OMG I was so unhappy to see that Diane, one of the nasty previous library board members was back in town and just wondered what kind of trouble she’d get into this time. Then we met Ralph’s recluse sister Jo who surprised everyone by attending book club. Another woman came around claiming to be the dead guy’s ex-wife and wanting her fair share of the house’s sales. Was it one of them whodunit…or could one of Louise Jane’s wishes come true, and the man was killed by a ghost? Not that she’d ever wish someone was killed by a ghost, but she sure likes talking about ghosts.

Lucy definitely had her plate full…again with juggling the murder and sometimes actually being asked to help Sam, she was planning her wedding, and there was pesky Diane back in town probably hoping to get back on the library board. What’s a girl to do? Well for starters, you just cuddle a certain library cat named Charles. Speaking of Charles, he got to be a hero cat in this book-I always love when a pet gets to intervene and help. Poor guy, I felt bad for the cat having to get used to living in a house when he previously had full run of the library.

That showdown was something else, but Lucy used her head about at least part of it, and there was some good evidence to turn in. It was pretty sweet how poor, troubled Jo had gotten some closure for an event that’d still haunted her from long ago. And a nice older gentleman got a new friend in her. I’m really eager now for the next book figuring and hoping it’s Lucy and Connor’s wedding story. As in everything Lucy does, I’m sure it’s gonna be an adventurous tale!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC provided by Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own. This book releases June 7, 2022.

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Murder Is no Picnic review

June 3, 2022June 3, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the fun and deliciously food-centered Cape Cod Foodie Mysteries by Amy Pershing. I love her descriptions of the area and had decided after reading the first book that Cape Cod was definitely gonna be somewhere I’d like to visit. This series has some good humor, good food and of course the all-important thing…good friends.

#BerkleyPublishing #AmyPershing

My Goodreads review:

Murder Is No Picnic by Amy Pershing
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Summer at Cape Cod sounds really awesome, and the author’s descriptions of the scenery and food almost make me feel like I’m right there with Sam and her friends. I loved how Jillian organized a sleuthing team and everyone did a little something toward figuring out why their local famous chef was killed in a fire when she clearly wouldn’t have been so careless with her stove and food.

Diogi continues to crack me up in this series! What a sweet, goofy dog who wuvs Helene and boat rides. I always giggle when I see what he wuvs, so funny! It was weird with Jason being on a job out in California although he did pop back home a few times. I could tell Sam missed him like crazy. I thought it was kinda cool that Vivvie the detective was treating Sam more like a peer now and not being snarky. Seems the good detective was a natural at sailing and loved taking lessons from Sam. It definitely came in handy for apprehending a killer!

I liked that the showdown wasn’t necessarily life-threatening this time, although what happened right before was pretty exciting. The festive Fourth of July clambake and ending was the perfect thing to top off the mystery as families and friends gathered to have some fun. Jason and Sam just enjoyed the time together.

I’m so eager now to read the next book, but I don’t think I better spill why, lol. You’ll know when you read it, but I was just happy that Jason and Samantha at the end felt like they were comfortable in their relationship. Sam’s grown quite a bit from the very first book and she’s actually starting to behave more like an adult…but still have fun! 😉

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Berkley Publishing via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own. This book releases June 7, 2022.

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Fatal Flowers review

May 24, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Flower House Mysteries by Jess Dylan who cozy readers might know better as Jennifer David Hesse. As Jess, she’s been writing this series, and I gotta say, it’s just getting better. Maybe it helped me to read book 2 with this book immediately after. That way, the characters were fresh in my mind, and I had more of a vested interest in seeing what their next adventure was. The books can easily be read alone, but for complete enjoyment and character/relationship development, definitely start with the first book. You’ll see what I mean about it just getting better.

I love that little Corgi Gus and how he seems to have a sense of when his momma’s in danger or needs him. Maybe he’s like Granny Mae!

#St.MartinsPaperbacks #JessDylan

My Goodreads review:

Fatal Flowers: A Flower House Mystery by Jess Dylan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I literally just finished this book on the heels of reading book 2 in the series, and I’m really in love with the characters at this point. Book three was just the sweet spot that had Sierra, Deena and Calvin all working together along with Sierra’s brother Rocky who likes Deena and seems like he’d do anything for her, lol.

This was a crazy case with all sorts of things going wrong. Basically, if it could go wrong for planning a wedding, it did. Someone with a side hustle of something illegal was lurking around and Sierra wondered which one of the wedding vendors it was. She was tired of being terrorized by a guy on a motor scooter and just kept on sleuthing no matter what. I love Calvin for how he’s pretty much game for anything she wants to do–and I’m always proud of her when she takes someone along with her whether it’s Cal, Deena or her dog Gus. Sierra tries very hard not to do stupid things, but sometimes she’s still pretty impulsive, and that’s enough to get a person killed!

I had two people in mind for whodunit, but as the book progressed and hidden clues showed up, I settled on one and was right. It was pretty exciting to see how the perp was caught too, then the ending was everyone gathered for Sierra’s birthday. I’m super eager now to read the next book! It was a lot of fun going directly from book 2 to this one and made me get to know the characters a lot better.

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

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A Sprinkle in Time review

May 23, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Shake Shop Mysteries series by Dana Mentink, and I’m really liking these characters the more I get to know them. I always get a kick out of Trinidad’s grandpa, Papa. Poor guy found a dead body in his beloved car’s trunk this time! Pick up a copy this week and see how this unfolds!

My Goodreads review:

A Sprinkle in Time by Dana Mentink
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I had a nice review written the day I finished this, but apparently Goodreads cyber gremlins ate it. Hopefully I can recreate it here. And no, I didn’t read this twice as GR seems to want to think I did, but I can’t figure out how to fix that.

This was a fun fall festival until a body was dumped in Papa’s car. Trinidad went into full-on sleuth mode without trying to be too conspicuous about it. I loved that her new unlikely friends or sisters as she calls them are none other than her ex’s other exes. But that’s better than feeling like scratching out their eyes, right? Trini even loves Bonnie’s sweet little daughter Felice aka Fee like she’s her own niece.

Quinn had a side mystery going on but eventually came clean on it with Trinidad having not even told his brother Doug this particular secret. I like that they’re growing closer and realizing they shouldn’t have secrets from each other.

The showdown was peaceful yet a nail biter if that makes sense since it was kinda planned. With another successful case solved, everyone gathered at the end for explanations, food and fellowship. Finally Trinidad felt at home!

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

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