good friends – Page 3 – Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

Murder Pays a Call review

September 9, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the first in what I imagine from the cover is gonna be called the Keri Armstrong series by a familiar cozy mystery author Nancy J. Cohen who also writes The Bad Hair Day Mysteries featuring MC Marla who got a shoutout in this book. Keri’s an awesome main character with some fun, quirky friends/coworkers and I can’t wait to see another book in this series!

#NetGalley #NancyJCohen #OrangeGrovePress

My Goodreads review:

Murder Pays a Call by Nancy J. Cohen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed meeting Keri and her office colleagues at her personal concierge agency. Purdy cracked me up always juggling his dates with different women. It was sad that a really nice person was the victim, although according to some, she wasn’t the nicest person. And that meant there were more suspects than anyone knew what to do with. Keri’s bestie Lora was also part of the cast and I was glad to see she was working out as the graphic artist Keri needed.

I enjoyed the twist at the end and the reveal which was really exciting as both Keri and her new friend Diane took on the killer. I’m definitely wanting to read the next book and see what Keri and her friends get into next!

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

View all my reviews

Laying Down the Latte review

August 27, 2025August 27, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the 21st book in the long-running Bakeshop Mysteries by Ellie Alexander, and it’s definitely a good one featuring a trip to Costa Rica that Jules and Carlos wanted to make sure Andy got to go on with them. Poor guy had no idea what was in store, but neither did they as murder and mayhem was afoot.

#NetGalley #St.MartinPaperbacks #MinotaurBooks #EllieAlexander

My Goodreads review:

Laying Down the Latte by Ellie Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It was fun reading about Jules, Carlos and Andy being in Costa Rica and even cooler when I read Ellie Alexander’s newsletter the same day telling how she’d gone there last year. I figured she must’ve been there at some point since the coffee facts and everything was described like someone who’d actually seen all this firsthand. Obviously except for the murder, lol.

Jules found herself investigating a murder even while on vacation and getting a little help/encouragement from back home from her mom and Lance. Lance was a hoot without even being there while he was energetically searching for a wedding venue for him and Arlo, and bouncing ideas off Jules probably the same way he was bouncing on caffeine.

My final guess for the killer was right (after a couple fails and my suspects didn’t pan out), and it was awesome what Jules did to said killer. The ending was filled with food and fellowship as everyone was now at home celebrated Andy’s trip to Costa Rica with Jules and Carlos and their safe return. Can’t wait to see what happens next!

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

View all my reviews

Claws Out review

August 26, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the ninth book in the very sweet Cat Cafe Mysteries by Cate Conte also known as Liz Mugavero of the Pawsitively Organic Mysteries. Maddie James is an awesome main character and I just love her Grandpa Leo! As a former police detective, he’s always in the thick of things when there’s a murder to be solved, at home or away as we find our Daybreak Harbor pals at an event in Provincetown.

#NetGalley #CateConte #St. Martin #MinotaurBooks

My Goodreads review:

Claws Out: A Cat Cafe Mystery by Cate Conte
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I just love Grandpa Leo’s character—he’s probably been my fave throughout the series, and this book was definitely no exception. He was probably in his police glory helping local police when one of the cat literary event authors was murdered. Plenty of people loved the author, but there were some that would’ve had a good motive to want her gone.

The planned showdown that Grandpa orchestrated using Maddie’s suggestion was great and got the results they hoped for. Now to take care of a family-sized surprise!

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

View all my reviews

Sour Crime Donuts review

August 26, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the tenth book in the super enjoyable Deputy Donuts Mysteries by Ginger Bolton, a series I’ve enjoyed since the very first book. Dep’s just the sweetest little cat and she’s definitely got a nose for mystery! And she got to go along on a mystery with Emily and her friends this time too, doing what she did best.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #GingerBolton

My Goodreads review:

Sour Crime Donuts by Ginger Bolton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Emily and her two employees who were also good friends did some major sleuthing in this case and took little Dep with them a couple times. The cat had a nose for clues and dead bodies. When an old friend of Emily’s came to town, it was a fun reunion since the girl was now grown up with some impressive career goals.

When a body was found on the land Izzy was gonna own soon, Izzy was an obvious suspect, so Emily and her pals worked hard to help Brent get the clues in place to find the real perp. And when that perp came face to face with Emily, I’m pretty sure after what she did, they were really sorry they ever met her lol. I was so sure someone I had in mind was the killer, but I was wrong. Can’t wait 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.

View all my reviews

Mrs. Christie at the Mystery Guild Library review

August 24, 2025August 24, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the first book in a brand new series by Amanda Chapman who I was happy to find out was none other than Amy Pershing who wrote the Cape Cod Foodie Mysteries that I read a few years back. This book was really different and I found myself wanting to read more about these characters and hang out with Mrs. Christie some more. Can’t wait to read the next book and I’m hoping so much I get approved for it when it comes up on NetGalley!

#NetGalley #BerkleyPublishing #AmyPershing #AmandaChapman

My Goodreads review:

Mrs. Christie at the Mystery Guild Library by Amanda Chapman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was absolutely awesome! I haven’t read a lot of Agatha Christie but I’ve read enough to recognize the basic style the author was going for and totally enjoyed the idea of the Queen of Mystery herself visiting a smallish library that had a library room just like her own. I really liked the key players in the story as well and that young girl that joined the mystery solvers, Mairead, she was a hoot sometimes and honestly just a very cool kid.

The extreme detail of the explanation definitely reminded me of reading an Agatha Christie mystery, and even the skeptical Adrian found himself believing in…something. I loved the lengthy author’s note that told a lot about her writing journey of the book and just mentioned some things that I thought were pretty cool. It looks like it’ll be a series, so I look forward to visiting more with Mrs. Christie.

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

View all my reviews

The Mango Murders review

August 13, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the fifteenth book in the long-running cozy series Key West Food Critic by Lucy Burdette. Hayley’s grown a lot and changed throughout the series but only in a good way. She’s got a new adventure ahead in this book and rumor has it her mother-in-law might just be sleuthing with her at one point (if anyone remembers Hayley and Helen sleuthing in a previous book, it was pretty funny! Helen’s scary good!). It was just as good in this book too. And little Ziggy even got a moment to shine. Can’t wait for the next book!

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #LucyBurdette

My Goodreads review:

The Mango Murders by Lucy Burdette
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really loved this book and how it was completely and totally focused on the mystery at hand and the characters’ lives like it always used to be. For a while there, it seemed some of these books took too much of a political turn, something I absolutely don’t wanna read about especially in cozy mysteries. But there’ve been a few recent books that’ve gotten better and this was definitely one of those! I might have to call this one my fave so far.

When the party cruise Hayley, her mom and Sam were on and helping cater blew up, Hayley did her usual sleuthing thing and once again had Nathan’s mom sleuthing with her. That lady cracks me up! She’s a tough cookie but boy can she get things done in an investigation. Helen did have a little run-in with someone’s motorcycle though. Hayley found herself facing off with a killer again but thanks to a couple of awesome helpers with a sweet four-legged along, quick work was made of the nasty perp. The ending was super sweet and I can’t wait for more in this series!

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

View all my reviews

Seven Secret Spellcasters review

July 31, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the seventh book in the Kitchen Witch Mysteries by another fave cozy mystery author, Lynn Cahoon. I’ve enjoyed this series since its very beginning and highly recommend anyone wanting to read it should do the same. Like her other series, every book builds or develops relationships or even introduces some new characters. This series like the others never disappoints, and I’m super eager to see what’s in store next for Mia and her favorite people!

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #LynnCahoon

My Goodreads review:

Seven Secret Spellcasters by Lynn Cahoon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There were quite a few changes going on since the last book, some of which I hadn’t even remembered reading about. When death caused the human and witchy worlds to kinda collide, Mia found herself sleuthing this case with the police chief Mark himself. Even with Trent nearby and the police protection, it was still inevitable Mia was gonna face off with a killer and as always come out victorious—with the help of some reinforcements.

Some of the changes were a little sad, but a new character was introduced and something about a couple characters was found out that was pretty cool. With the main mystery solved, there was something that happened at the end that definitely make me eager to dig into 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.

View all my reviews

Mayhem at a Halloween Wedding review

July 31, 2025July 31, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Halloween Bookshop Mysteries by Emmaline Duncan, and it’s out in plenty of time for Halloween like last year’s book was. It’s pretty cool this is an annual thing since it just wouldn’t be the same unless it was set at Halloween since it’s in a Halloween-themed town. It’s definitely best to read this series in order too.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #EmmalineDuncan

My Goodreads review:

Mayhem at a Halloween Wedding by Emmeline Duncan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love all the spooky names of the different businesses in this town and the idea of a Halloween themed wedding seemed fun, until it wasn’t. Between the bride’s bratty-acting sister who was mad she wasn’t maid of honor to the murder of a wedding party member, Bailey had her hands full since she was in the wedding too, then trying to sleuth out a murder.

Once she had a good idea of whodunit, I liked that the showdown was a planned trap for the killer. It was cool how Bailey figured it out and after that, the wedding was able to go off without any issues. Wonder what’ll happen in the series next Halloween.

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

View all my reviews

Solid Gold Murder review

July 30, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Golden Motel Mysteries by a fave cozy mystery author, Ellen Byron. I loved the first book and definitely wasn’t disappointed in this one! I’m really eager for the next book and hope Dee’s dad might decide to hang around longer, he’s such a hoot, just love his character!

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #EllenByron

My Goodreads review:

Solid Gold Murder by Ellen Byron
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved that Dee’s dad Sam was staying at the motel grounds and helping out. It was hilarious to think of him as the character Prospector Pete and imagine the funny voices he was doing. I liked his character a lot in the first book and hope he’ll stick around closer to Dee. He’s a lotta fun!

When a body was found in one of the mines, there was no shortage of suspects, which was good for anyone who’d made the comment they hoped the person ended up at the bottom of a mine, but it made it hard for law enforcement and nosy amateur sleuths to find the real killer. But Dee came through once again, although she had to face the killer and live to tell about it.

There were some good comic relief moments that may or may not’ve included Bud the Bear (formerly known as Stoney the Bear). Dee and Jeff’s senses of humor and banter was always good for a laugh or two as well. Can’t wait for the next book!

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

View all my reviews

Tea with Jam and Dread review

July 30, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the sixth book in the Tea by the Sea Mystery series by another favorite cozy mystery author, Vicki Delany whose other series I also love. I’ve enjoyed Tea by the Sea since its beginning and I’ve loved seeing the relationships develop. This book found our pals at the B&B and tea room in England, Rose’s old stomping grounds of Frockmorton Castle which now had a hotel. Some good mysterious fun and adventure!

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #VickiDelany

My Goodreads review:

Tea with Jam & Dread by Vicki Delany
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

From all the times Rose had ever talked about working Lady Frockmorton, I wasn’t sure I’d ever like that woman. But when we actually got to meet her, she seemed even more down to earth sometimes than Rose herself did. It was more like two old friends reuniting instead of former employer/employee. Lily got to help out in the hotel kitchen and got a taste of how massive their prep was for afternoon tea at the hotel.

Of course no adventure with Lily would be complete without the requisite murder—although I’m pretty sure Lily wouldn’t agree with that statement because this time the police seemed to believe she was involved. It was sleuth or be accused. In true Lily and Bernie style, the friends did their sleuthing together, had a near miss and ended with Lily confronting the killer. It was a fairly non-eventful showdown but it could’ve gone sideways. I thought the ending was really sweet. I can’t honestly say this was one of my favorites in the series, but it was still a good mystery with some quirky and interesting characters.

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

View all my reviews