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Icing on the Murder review

July 29, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the Baker Street Mystery series by one of my fave cozy authors, Valerie Burns, She also writes the Mystery Bookshop series as V.M. Burns, and it’s another favorite cozy mystery series.

I’ve enjoyed this series from its beginning and definitely fell in love with the drool-monster known as Baby the Mastiff. He’s soo adorable! And a great bodyguard whenever Maddy needs one. As with any of this author’s series I’ve read, she just comes up with some of the best, funniest and most memorable characters. I can’t wait for the next book now!

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #ValerieBurns

My Goodreads review:

Icing on the Murder by Valerie Burns
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh that Baby’s such a big, drooling Mastiff of a sweetheart most of the times, but boy if you need a bodyguard or someone to help with a killer, he’s your man, er dog. I loved how Miss Hannah got a really much better part in this book and actively helped with the investigation. She cracks me up and I just know I’d love her if I met her, what a cool lady!

The Baker Street sleuths were at it again when murder hit the bridal expo and Maddy was trying to clear herself along with an unlikely ally who said she needed cleared of the crime too. The showdown was tense and I was actually wondering what Maddy had up her sleeve for this. But no worries, Baby’s always got something up his sleeve, er paw. I absolutely 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.

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Edam and Weep review

July 22, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the sixth book in the Grilled Cheese Mysteries by Linda Reilly which I’ve enjoyed since its very beginning. The sixth book might just be the best one yet! Here’s hoping there’ll be lots more to come after it. With the introduction of two new characters, I can definitely see some good possibilities for more stories. I sensed a finality about this book, but I’m hoping that’s not the case.

#NetGalley #BeyondthePage #LindaReilly

My Goodreads review:

Edam and Weep by Linda Reilly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It was so awesome what Carly and Ari did for Ari’s sister and the little girl she was trying to adopt by taking them in when they were a little down on their luck. Little Quinne was wise beyond her age and really grew on me as a character. I was definitely pulling for the adoption to go through and that they’d get to come live in Vermont—the kid was seriously over the moon about Carly’s little dog Havarti. They were best buds!

The murder mystery hit close to home for Carly who found herself investigating since her mom was a suspect. She did try to make good choices and take someone along with her when she’d sleuth, but there’s always that one time…and of course she found herself in a showdown with the killer. I’d guessed part of who was guilty and as always, Carly alway amazes me with her guts and bravery to plow into any situation, lol.

The book had the most amazing ending and I just wanted it to keep going, definitely a great book hangover! I’m not totally sure, but this almost seemed like it could be the last book, although I could think of more adventures I’d like to hear about now there’s two new characters.

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

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Death and the Librarian review

July 8, 2025July 8, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the ninth book in the Blue Ridge Library Mysteries by cozy author Victoria Gilbert, and I’ve enjoyed the series since the beginning. These characters quickly found a way into my book world with book 1 and became old friends.

Except I wasn’t crazy with the Amy portrayed in this book. She did a lot better in the previous book (which was a flash forward five years from the wedding) about reining in her boots on the ground sleuthing since she’s mom to Ella and Nicky, her twins. But she really put herself in a bad situation this time after, well like another review I read on Goodreads, “putting her kids on the back burner” basically. Sure, they were safe but was she?

All turned out well though with one more secret revealed at the end. I’m not sure if this was supposed to be the last book in the series. I get the author’s newsletters and know the series is ending soon, but I saw on her website there was a book 10 slated for 2027. Now I’m not sure if that’s a go or what. Guess we’ll just have to stay tuned. If this was the last book, I wasn’t really a fan about how it wrapped up. Yes, a secret someone had held for a long time was revealed, but it just didn’t feel like the last book. Keeping fingers and toes crossed that there’s actually a book 10 coming.

My Goodreads review:

Death and the Librarian by Victoria Gilbert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It’s still a little odd to be reading about Amy and Richard being parents since the previous book had done a little time jump after their wedding. The kids are supposed to be around five or six in this. They’re definitely a handful and it seems like Amy was a lot better in the last book at not physically taking part in the mystery since she was mom to twins. She did take lots more chances in this book, but one thing in her defense was that she sent the kids home with her parents when things got hairy and threatening.

That was some crazy showdown and I loved what Amy ended up doing to survive. Luckily reinforcements showed in time so Amy could live to celebrate with her friends and family. Kurt still had a secret which he did share with her at the end and yep, it’s a biggie.

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

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Murder at the High School Reunion review

July 3, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in the fun Maya & Sandra Mysteries by popular cozy mystery author Lee Hollis aka the brother/sister writing team of Rick Copp and Holly Simason. If you look carefully, you might find one of those two as a character in this book! Not telling which one though. 😉 It’s always a fun and crazy rollercoaster ride with Maya & Sandra!

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #LeeHollis

My Goodreads review:

Murder at the High School Reunion by Lee Hollis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Maya and Sandra definitely had differences that worked in their favors during a case, but this case wasn’t like their usual ones at all and stemmed from a murder at their high school reunion. One classmate was now a Hollywood actress who enlisted their help. Who knew what a trail of deception and lies it’d lead to?

I loved how once the case was being worked on by multiple law enforcement agencies, good old Oscar the IT guru was in the thick of it helping as always. He cracks me up acting like he’s pining away for Maya, but he sure knows his tech stuff! The showdown was long and tense, but the takedown was sweet justice. Another successful case and happy client!

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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An Amateur Sleuth’s Guide to Murder review

June 25, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the first book in a brand new series, Bainbridge Island Mysteries, by a favorite cozy mystery author Lynn Cahoon. She’s well-known in cozy mystery circles especially for her long-running Tourist Trap Mysteries and some other really good series you can learn about on her Goodreads bio linked to her name above. I really fell in love with the setting of this book and as I’ve found in her other series, the key characters quickly became book friends. Can’t wait for the next book!

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #LynnCahoon

My Goodreads review:

An Amateur Sleuth’s Guide to Murder by Lynn Cahoon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this fun trip to Bainbridge Island so if we ever get out west again, I might have a new bucket list place to visit. I liked Meg and her friends’ characters a lot, as well as the older generation especially Aunt Melody. Her sister Felicia who was Meg’s mom was just a little too uptight and eager for Meg to go back to a previous relationship that didn’t work out. I was proud of Meg for how she finally told the guy she was done. Would’ve loved to’ve seen the look on his face when she told him what she did with the ring!

I hadn’t guessed the correct killer at all and enjoyed that the arrest took place off page but it was after tons of sleuthing by Meg, Dalton and Natasha, aka the Mystery Crew. The ending was awesome since they all celebrated at the bookshop with food and fellowship—all provided by Meg’s new boss Lilly since Meg and her friends had worked tirelessly to prove Lilly for one was innocent. Natasha was another one being looked at, but the three friends weren’t having that, lol. I’m super eager to read 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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A Purrfect Date review

June 24, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Cat Yoga Mysteries by Alex Erickson who cozy mystery fans know as the author of the long-running Bookstore Cafe Mysteries. I like Luna, Ash’s cat much better than Christie’s disagreeable bookstore cat though, lol. Poor Ash couldn’t cut a break as far as a blind date went as she found out again in this crazy adventure. Come for the yoga…stay for the cats and comedy!

#NetGalley #AlexErickson #CatYogaMysteries

My Goodreads review:

A Purrfect Date by Alex Erickson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

At times I don’t like Ash so much for her extreme interfering, but she’s really hard not to like at all lol. Sierra’s an amazing friend to her and trust me, Ash needs that with the piece of work she’s got for a mother. That lady’s uptight and way too into her kids’ business. I’m sure she wasn’t happy about Ash chasing down a killer in this book, but at least she’d come to the reality that one of her daughters wasn’t gonna be working for her.

The showdown with the killer (never saw that person coming!) was tense but Ash managed to keep her wits about her. Although it’s a really good thing Sierra showed up right when she was needed the most. I love what she did to the perp! Now there’s a baby in the family for Ash to spoil so maybe she’ll be able to just run her yoga studio and love on the little one for a while.

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 Body at the Book Fair review

June 16, 2025June 16, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the sixth and final book in the Secret Bookcase Mysteries by well-known cozy mystery author, Ellie Alexander, best known for her Bakeshop Mysteries. Although I really liked her Sloane Kraus Mysteries too and the Pacific Northwest Mysteries she wrote as Kate Dyer-Seeley. Word around her newsletter says she’ll be reviving that series soon! You can find her social links and her website links on her Goodreads page shown above.

Back to the Secret Bookcase series, while it’s ending with book six, it’ll be continuing as Novel Detectives Mysteries and I’m super excited to read that. I highly recommend reading Secret Bookcase Mysteries in order to get the whole experience of how the characters changed and developed. I’m so glad these amazing characters get to continue on!

#NetGalley #EllieAlexander #StormPublishing #SecretBookcaseMysteries

My Goodreads review:

A Body at the Book Fair by Ellie Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve absolutely loved these characters and was so sad at first that this was scheduled to be the last book in the series. But doing a little Nancy Drew digging of my own especially after reading what Annie and Fletcher’s plans were, I asked the author (replying to one of her newsletters) telling her how much I enjoyed the series and guessing/hoping there’d be a spin-off. Which she graciously told me I was right, then the most recent newsletter confirmed the new series was with our fave characters with a new series name. And I can’t wait to dig into it!

Annie had a book convention to go to, but she and her friends had an ulterior motive of that final step it was gonna take to bring justice to her friend Scarlet after ten long years. Justice was totally sweet in an epic showdown with the killer. I loved the side coffee tasing trip that Pri and Liam did. She’s come a long way from being so snarky to him to actually being a good pal now, and I’m sure Annie’s glad she’s got her bestie’s approval of her man. Pri was a hoot after having all that caffeine though as she rambled on and on, a little comic relief during the murder investigation and leading up to the showdown. I’m so glad that instead of goodbye, we just have to tell these characters ‘see ya real soon!”

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

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The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg-review

May 29, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the eighteenth book in the long-running Domestic Diva Mysteries by beloved cozy mystery author Krista Davis. I love her Paws & Claws Mysteries too–fans of that series are gonna have a fun little surprise in this book.

#NetGalley #KristaDavis #DomesticDivaMysteries

My Goodreads review:

The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg by Krista Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a wild and tangled bunch of secrets and family drama Sophie stumbled into when an interior designer asked her to help find who killed her business partner. It’s always fun when Sophie sleuths with her friends either all together or usually just her and Nina or Sophie, Mars and Bernie.

When another body turned up along with a surprise found at a wealthy family home, Sophie and her pals had their work cut out for them. In true Sophie style, she quite literally beat the killer in the showdown. The story ended with all the explanations and everyone having a good time sharing food and fellowship.

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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Bodies and Battlements review

May 27, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the first book in a brand new series, Ravensea Castle Mysteries, released today by cozy mystery author Elizabeth Penney. I’ve always really enjoyed anything I’ve read by this author and this book definitely makes my “loved it” list. The key characters were awesome and I loved how close Nora and her sister Tamsyn were. Definitely not one to miss!

#NetGalley #ElizabethPenney #MinotaurBooks #StMartinPaperbacks

My Goodreads review:

Bodies and Battlements by Elizabeth Penney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve never met any characters by this author that I haven’t really liked in the very first pages of the book, and this book was no exception. I enjoyed all the key players from the get-go and Nora’s dad cracked me up with his stories and just blatant innocent honesty when it came to different things.

There was quite a bit more to the murder than anyone first thought then when another one happened, things started to be revealed. I loved that Nora and DI Cole were getting closer. His dog sounded so darn cute and Rolf became good buddies with her. Tamsyn seemed to’ve found herself a guy as well. The showdown was tense but quick and a satisfying ending was enjoyed by all.

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

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Doggone Bones review

May 26, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the 29th book in the Sarah Booth Delaney Mysteries by Carolyn Haines. I haven’t actually read this series from the entire beginning, but I did read the first two books and at least can appreciate a little of how the characters changed. I’ve been blessed enough to be able to get ARCs of the last maybe five or six books so at least I know what’s currently going on in Sarah Booth’s life, lol.

I love how dogs play such a huge part in her life, so this is one book where you get to cheer on the doggos and they win! And not to downplay Pluto, he’s a great watch cat! And that silly, wise Jitty, I just love her character and how she’s a good constant for Sarah Booth. She appears as just the person Sarah Booth needs her to. But sometimes having her just being Jitty’s what Sarah Booth needs most.

#NetGalley #CarolynHaines #SarahBoothDelaney #MinotaurBooks #StMartinPaperbacks

My Goodreads review:

Doggone Bones by Carolyn Haines
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I had no idea that Sarah Booth’s friend Tinkie could be such a bada$$ but she was a regular hero at times in this book. The story grabbed me from the start and wouldn’t let go until I found out the good ending for some poor sweet doggos that were being used for fighting. And to think it all started with one little dog being taken. There was a lotta other things going on in this book as well.

Some involved definitely got their just desserts but another item left unsolved really bothered me a lot since it directly affected Sarah Booth and her friends. I absolutely can’t wait for the next book so some uncleared-up scum can be properly taken care of! 😉

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

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