good friends – Page 27 – Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

Cheddar Off Dead review

April 4, 2022April 4, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the first book in a brand new cozy series, The Cheese Shop Mysteries by new cozy author, Korina Moss. I think she did a great job on her first book and was really happy to see we don’t have to wait a whole year for another book. Gone for Gouda releases September 27, 2022, and I know I’m pretty excited to read more about these characters I’m already thinking of as friends.

My Goodreads review:

Cheddar Off Dead: A Cheese Shop Mystery by Korina Moss
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this new cozy author’s first book offering! I did make a point of reading a short cozy mystery she wrote that was in an anthology, and I really liked her writing in that, so I knew I’d enjoy this book. The characters grabbed me from the beginning, and I just loved how Willa and her three new friends sleuthed together. It was especially fun to read about her and Baz sleuthing together. He apparently reminded her of her brother. Baz was protective of her just like her brother would’ve been if he lived there.

I found the book hard to put down at times and just kept reading. To me it didn’t seem to drag or go too slow. There were just the right amount of details and description, although I gotta admit I’m not really interested in the ins and outs of the cheese biz, but that was easy to skim through. I’m really invested in these characters though. They make me smile!

The showdown was an exciting one, and I didn’t really know until Willa did whodunit. It’s amazing how an inanimate object can help in a showdown, lol. I absolutely can’t wait for the next book!

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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Three Shots to the Wind review

March 24, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Chloe Jackson, Sea Glass Saloon Mysteries by Sherry Harris who also wrote the Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mysteries. I’m really enjoying this series a lot and how the characters have developed since the first book. I honestly liked the key players from the get-go, but it’s been fun watching them grow and change. Chloe and Rip are such a cute couple, and I can’t wait to see what their future holds!

My Goodreads review:

Three Shots to the Wind by Sherry Harris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved catching up with Chloe and the gang and seeing how life in January is for the Emerald cove residents–and visitors. Several interesting visitors came along during the course of the book, two of which helped add some good comic relief to some of the scenes. I like Chloe and Rip as a couple, they’re so stinking cute! And I really love that Vivi’s coming around in only the way Vivi can as far as being nicer to Chloe and at one point fiercely defending her. She’s a good mama bear to have on your side, that’s for sure! I have a feeling she and Chloe might actually get to be fairly good friends in time. I know she probably intimidates the life out of Chloe as only Vivi can do. (She makes me think of Angela Channing on Falcon Crest lol).

All Chloe wanted to do was clear poor Rip of any blame in her ex-fiancé’s death. There was a huge assortment of suspects to pick from, but I sure didn’t see the whodunit coming! The showdown was exciting and a little tense but just right. I enjoyed the very ending and hope that there’ll be many more adventures for Chloe and Rip in future books.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Cozies via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own. The book releases next Tuesday, March 29, 2022.

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Pleading the Fish review

March 22, 2022March 22, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the seventh (and sadly the last) book in the Seaside Café series by Bree Baker who’s also known as Julie Anne Lindsey, Julie Chase and Jacqueline Frost in the other cozy mysteries she’s written. She did the best/innovative ending for a series that I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. If you’ve followed the whole series like I’ve done, you’re gonna want some tissues for the very last parts. One part in particular got me, but as I said in the GR review, a book cry always equals a good thing!

#PoisonedPenPress #BreeBaker

My Goodreads review:

Pleading the Fish by Bree Baker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I knew going into this book I was eagerly waiting for it but dreading when it was over. The way the author gave this series its sendoff was just amazing and so perfect! I absolutely loved the ending and I’m not gonna lie, there was a LOT of eye leakage at one point, but hey it’s beloved series and having a good book cry is perfectly fine. I know I can revisit the series anytime I want simply by reading it again.

Everly got into a real pickle this time when hunting down the killer. The showdown was epic and so cool that her self-defense training with Grady came in handy. There was a side story involving Amelia and some good news she’d gotten as well as the aunts who were at first avoiding some guy they thought was stalking Clara. But that turned out as good news as well.

I’ve never read the total ending of a series that I liked as well as this one! As I said before, it was absolutely perfect! I’m not going to give away one little clue ’cause you’ll need to read it to really appreciate it! I may have picked up the ARC for this book so I could read it sooner, but I’m definitely buying the Amazon digital version of it too. It’s that worth it!

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Under Lock and Skeleton Key review

March 14, 2022March 14, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the first book in the Secret Staircase Mysteries by a new-to-me and very talented author Gigi Pandian. Her storytelling is amazing, and I could actually picture the places and secret rooms she described. It’d be so cool to have a room like Tempest’s that was secretly accessible and super private. I’m looking forward to visiting with Tempest and her family again!

My Goodreads review:

Under Lock & Skeleton Key by Gigi Pandian
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a such a cool mystery and I loved what the Secret Staircase Construction company did with buildings. I thought Tempest’s secret quarters in the house were especially awesome. I was glad to see she was able to make amends with an old friend now that she was home, and I just loved her grandparents. Grandpa was so funny how he was always wanting to feed people, must be a grandpa thing! I could definitely see why Nancy Drew was one of Tempest’s favorites since all Nancy did was find mysterious staircases, attics and rooms similar to what Tempest’s dad’s company built. Tempest’s former occupation of illusionist was a unique one for a cozy main character too.

The characters were great, and I enjoyed the whole search for the killer. It took a lot of winding paths to finally get to the answer which was something I sure didn’t see coming. I loved how Tempest came to her decision at the end and can see this being a fun and cool series I’ll want to read more in!

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

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Wedding Bell Blues review

March 1, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the thirteenth book in the long-running and beloved Tourist Trap Mysteries by Lynn Cahoon, author of some other cozy series I love as well. Like her other series, this one has always been like visiting old friends again when I start to read. These are characters I’d want to be friends with or hang out with. The books are more than just mysteries. They’re a look into the lives of Jill and her employees which she awesomely treats like part of her family. I like that friends/employees as family theme as seen in all this author’s series.

My Goodreads review:

Wedding Bell Blues by Lynn Cahoon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I always love a visit to South Cove to see old book friends Jill and her crew. When Jill and her aunt stumbled onto the latest dead body, they had no idea what a twisty case it’d turn out to be. I’m not even close to being caught up in real time for this series, but I did know Jill and Greg were engaged, so when I saw the ARC at NetGalley and the title, I couldn’t resist!

Meanwhile, Jill and Greg were attending the engagement party being thrown for them, besides what a good way to pick up on clues, right? I wanted to like Harper the dress designer, but there was just something off about her which a good twist later on definitely explained.

I just love that feisty Aunt Jackie, and now her new husband Harrold who seems to adore her. Deek makes a great bookstore employee, and I hope he eventually becomes an author like he wants, but I’d love to see him stay on. He was so good with the kids and the crowd at the store’s readathon!

The showdown was exciting and as always, Jill kinda got in the middle of things and could’ve gotten killed…again. But it still ended well, and hopefully between now and the next book, I’ll be able to get even more caught up with the series.

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

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Put Out to Pasture review

February 17, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Farm to Table Mysteries by well-known cozy mystery author Amanda Flower who’s written quite a few successful cozy series. I always enjoy her characters for being unforgettable but real people. Some are quirky, hilarious and just plain amazing. Usually there’s a funny and/or cuddly animal involved (think Jethro from the Amish Candy Shop), but I know when I start one of her books, I usually get lost reading and don’t want to stop till the story’s done.

My Goodreads review:

Put Out to Pasture by Amanda Flower
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It was good to catch up with Shiloh and her dad again especially during the fall season. Her dad’s quickly become my favorite character with Hazel being a close second. That kid is like 11 going on 19 or 20 lol. But boy is her grandma a piece of work. It’s just a shame that deliciously handsome Quinn comes with such a cantankerous mom, although Shi always got along well with Quinn’s dad, Chief Randy of the Cherry Glen PD.

Sometimes I just felt like knocking some sense into Shi with gorgeous Quinn right there who may or may not be hinting he wants more than friendship. Then another nice looking guy arrived, so she’s got a smorgasbord. In all fairness, I’ve never lost a spouse or fiance, so I can’t know the pain or how long it’d take to get to a dating point again, but for fiction’s sake, I really hope she picks one soon! And for the record I’m #TeamQuinn. He’s cute and he has a kid who’s pretty amazing too.

Poor Kristy was the suspect this time, and Shiloh was doing her best to get her bestie out of the limelight and find a real suspect. The showdown was definitely exciting and I absolutely loved what Sully did to help! Funny and awesome at the same time! I hadn’t quite seen the whodunit coming although it made total sense and I’d thought about that person at one point. Don’t miss this second book in the Farm to Table Mysteries coming out next Tuesday, February 22, 2022.

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

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Caught and Collared review

February 15, 2022April 5, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the Lowcountry Dog Walker series by Jackie Layton, a series I recently rediscovered after seeing and getting this ARC on NetGalley. I already had the first book and knew I’d be able to binge through the first three before reading this. In fact, now that I’ve read all four, I strongly suggest reading from the beginning. The series is more like a serial story that has characters, relationships and even a new dog or two in each story that all build on each other. Sometimes a person or dogs are just randomly mentioned, but it’s really cool to be able to think back and know you’ve already met those or read about them. And some of the people you might not’ve thought would be important when you met them turn out to be pretty important to a book’s storyline.

I just love the series so much that if I had time and not a gazillion other books on my WTR, it’d be one of those series I could easily reread. I hope the author keeps on writing in it as I feel some of the main characters and side characters still have lots of great stories to tell!

I found a picture of a beagle that made me think of poor sweet Peanut in the story who lost his human but eventually gained a new dad to love and take care of him.

My Goodreads review:

Caught and Collared A Low County Dog Walker Mystery #4 by Jackie Layton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love how the character and their relationships have built in this series. It’s definitely a series I’d recommend starting from the beginning. Leroy, for example actually became a pretty important character in this book, but a couple books ago, he was just that guy out there fishing. Same for Jeremiah and Frank, two veterans that I’ve liked since I met them. And Ike’s another veteran and a sweetheart, but you really need to get his backstory before reading this book, if you want full enjoyment. The series is more like a serial story without cliffhangers, if that makes any sense.

Marc and Andi have such an awesome relationship that isn’t too mooshy or unbelievable. They’ve learned mutual trust and I thought it was sweet how they had some plans for gifting that included her siblings. Andi’s whole posse of friends and family are so amazing with how they help each other out in the community. And again, it’s told in a believable way and not bigger than life and not outrageously flaunting how good they are. It’s just normal nice people doing everyday nice things for each other expecting nothing in return except the love and friendship they all enjoy.

This was one crazy mystery that had everyone puzzled until Andi’s research led her to something big. It all built up to an exciting showdown where both Marc and Andi along with two very cool veteran characters managed to survive a killer.

If Heyward Beach with its characters and places was real, I’d visit in a heartbeat and rent part of the renovated old kitchen building–or maybe I’d wanna stay on the beach. Now I’m so eager for the next book. I’d gotten and read this book as an ARC but liked it so much, I went ahead and bought the Kindle file. I just want the author to keep writing this series!

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

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A Dash of Death review

January 30, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the first book in the Catering & Cocktails Mysteries by Michelle Hillen Klump who’s a former investigative reporter herself just like her main character Samantha Warren. I definitely can appreciate when an author writes what they know about. And I’d never heard of drink bitters, so I learned a little something new by reading this. It’ll be interesting to see how the new catering and cocktails business goes in the next book.

#crookedlanebooks

My Goodreads review:

A Dash of Death by Michelle Hillen Klump
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a really different hobby, soon to be a job for a main character, at least that I’ve read. It seemed interesting, although I gotta admit I’m not really interested in drink mixing and tended to skip those details, but she definitely had a lucrative thing going for her. I enjoyed her two besties characters more than I did Samantha’s at first. Maybe she’ll grow on me more in the next book, but it just seemed weird to me that she’d go crying to her ex every time something went wrong. Now I just love David and really hope they’ll end up together. He’s got his head screwed on right, lol. I started liking Sam’s character a little more after a point in the book. I won’t give that away, but you’ll know when you read it!

I’d guessed who the killer was, but I wasn’t totally sure why. The showdown was pretty exciting and ended in injuries for Samantha, but I was proud of her for her bravery. There was some good news about a new business partnership at the end, and I was happy to see that maybe Samantha and David might get a chance together.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Crooked Lane via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own. This book releases February 8, 2022.

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Easter Bonnet Murder review

January 24, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the twenty-eighth book (can you believe it’s been that long?) in the long-running Lucy Stone series by Leslie Meier. Lucy’s sure come a long way from Zoe not even existing yet in the first book to this one where she’s headed off to Portland for her own apartment and first career job. Good old Miss Tilley gave a little scare in this book though as you’ll find out when you read it.

#kensingtonpublishing

My Goodreads review:

Easter Bonnet Murder by Leslie Meier
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was lots more enjoyable than a few of the more recent Lucy Stone mysteries. With Miss Tilley having a big role in it, it seemed like the old sleuthing Lucy rather than some of the newer, more politically-driven mysteries. I like plain old regular mysteries the best, and Lucy definitely had one on her hands with the missing person at the retirement center and dealing with her very upset daughter. Lucy hun, you need to hang your PI shingle out once and for all! Ooo that’d be a great retirement career for Lucy down the road.

That Miss Tilley always cracks me up! I was thinking she’d realistically have to be over a hundred seeing how long ago this series started, and in those first books I’m pretty sure she was described at least in her eighties if not close to ninety. However old she might be, she’s sharp as ever and nothing gets past her. Lucy had Miss T and Miss T’s new friend Howard helping snoop out some things at the facility, but she eventually realized it might get too dangerous once she realized something more serious than double billing was going on.

The showdown was great! I loved seeing those seniors in action against a perp who’d taken out one of their own. There were a few side things going on at the retirement center that I’m sure “off camera” got taken care of since they were unfortunately the unsavory things sometimes heard about at retirement homes. Another side story that was kinda cute was Zoe hunting for the perfect apartment for her move to Portland. Everything ended nicely, and Lucy got one heckuva story out of what she’d uncovered.

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

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Up to No Gouda review

January 16, 2022January 16, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the first book in the Grilled Cheese Mysteries, a brand new series by Linda Reilly who also wrote the Deep Fried Mysteries and Cat Lady Mysteries. I’ve really enjoyed what I’ve read of those series as well, but I absolutely devoured (yes, grilled cheese pun intended!) this book! I just loved Carly’s little work family! And sweet Havarti was a great addition! (Hint: he’s on the book covers!)

I just had to share what I found on Goodreads! The second book is scheduled to come out July 26, 2022, and the cover’s completely adorable! It’s called No Parm No Foul, so just tap or click that link and check it out.

#PoisonedPenPress

My Goodreads review:

Up to No Gouda by Linda Reilly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really loved this book even more than I first thought I would. I wasn’t sure how a restaurant in a cozy could be that interesting with only grilled cheese, but this was a fun surprise. I’m not one to experiment with grilled cheese. Kinda a plain American singles and if I wanna be adventurous, a sprinkle of cheddar inside. But I loved the names of Carly’s different creations, and that Grant was just a genius in the kitchen! Carly, Grant and Suzanne had a great dynamic in the restaurant…that is, until poor Suzanne was nearly charged with murder.

There were some side mysteries that did tie in with the main one, and it was pretty cool how Carly managed to sniff it out. I’d suspected someone randomly for my own reasons and was surprised when I was right. But there was another whole layer to things done and people caught for said things. I got a kick out of that crazy guy Don, the reporter and how Carly had babysat him once. The Dennis the Menace of the twenty-first century? lol. But he seemed like an okay guy now.

You know how awesome some books are, and you just want more after the showdown and perp or perps were caught? And in some books you get it and some you don’t. This book was incredibly generous (thanks to its amazing author) in providing just that perfect wrap-up ending. I really loved and appreciated how every single dangling thread was explained so thoroughly. One of my favorite characters was Becca, a homeless veteran. I have a special place in my heart for veterans (LOTS of them in our family!) and was so happy with her good ending! This is a book that if I had time, I could easily read it again! I absolutely can’t wait for the next book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own. Don’t miss this book when it comes out January 25, 2022!

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