good friends – Page 6 – Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

A Spirited Blend review

March 24, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Crystals and CuriosiTEAS mysteries by Lauren Elliott, another fun series I’ve enjoyed since its beginning. I really like Ms. Elliott’s other series too, Beyond the Page Bookshop Mysteries. Shay and her sister Jen have an awesome dynamic as sisters along with being business partners. It’s always a fun trip to Bray Harbor to catch up with these characters. Pssst, Gran’s my fave secondary character!

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #LaurenElliott

My Goodreads review:

A Spirited Blend by Lauren Elliott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve come to think of these characters as old friends now especially Liam’s crazy fun Gran, she’s such a hoot! She’s always after Shay and Liam to get together since her fairies predicted it, so I guess it’ll remain to be seen if Gran gets her wish soon or not lol. This was a mystery with a couple sides thrown in that weren’t gonna be solved immediately, but the main murder was solved so that’s what matters. There’s always a storyline waiting on the sidelines in this series which makes readers eager 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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Scone Cold Dead review

March 23, 2025March 23, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the thirteenth book in the Country Store Mysteries by Maddie Day aka Edith Maxwell, a fave series of mine that I’ve enjoyed since it started. It’s been fun following Robbie’s story while seeing relationships grow and change over the years.

One good constant everyone can rely on is that police chief Buck Bird’s gonna come in the restaurant and say he’s hungrier than…something. The fun part’s finding out just what and how many things he’s hungrier than in the course of a book, lol. I really enjoy all these characters and feel that Robbie’s very blessed to have people in her life like these locals and her awesome hubby Abe and stepson Sean. Hoping the series continues with more sleuthing but maybe the less dangerous for momma Robbie kind. 😉

#NetGalley #MaddieDay #KensingtonCozies

My Goodreads review:

Scone Cold Dead by Maddie Day
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I just love good old Buck Bird in this series which I’ve enjoyed since its beginning! He’s got about as many colorful, colloquial sayings as a certain campground manager in another of my fave series. Buck always cracks me up how he can put away so much food, lol. Adele’s a pretty cool character but for a while, she was having a hard time when the death of someone happened that she knew but wouldn’t admit to knowing.

Robbie had her sleuthing cut out for her but at least she wasn’t chasing down anyone. It was kinda cool how she and Lou got one last before-baby hurrah when they did a little snooping together. Lou’s an awesome friend and really came through when Robbie and the restaurant needed her. It’ll be interesting to see what directions Robbie’s investigations go now that her baby’s here. There were others who got some good news as well and one who had some bittersweet news, but even with baby on the brain, Robbie came up with a darn good solution.

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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The Library Game review

March 18, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the Secret Staircase Mysteries that I’ve had the pleasure of reading and enjoying as ARCs from the get-go, and this book definitely didn’t disappoint at all. The author, Gigi Pandian had such a sweet article in her latest newsletter about how the series came to be and how she made Grandpa Ash’s character be modeled after her own dad. The picture of them together was just too adorable!

#NetGalley #MinotaurBooks #GigiPandian

My Goodreads review:

The Library Game by Gigi Pandian
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Tempest and her friends/family are like old friend to me by now since I’ve read this series from the beginning. I’ve enjoyed the character developments and relationships growing. Poor Sanjay, he’s such a hoot normally but he was a worried man this time since he was a suspect. The showdown was tense and I really loved what someone did to the perp! The outcome was a satisfying one, and as all the friends were taking another friend to the airport, I can only wonder what the next book might bring!

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

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Puzzled 4 Murder review

February 26, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the fourteenth book in the Sophie Kimball Mysteries by husband and wife team J.C. Eaton better known as Ann Goldfarb and Jim Clapp. It’s always a fun time with Phee riding herd on her mom Harriet and Harriet’s friends, not to mention Streetman, the mischievous chiweenie! I just love Phee’s hilarious first person narrative with her own comments in italics LOL!

#NetGalley #BeyondthePage #JCEaton

My Goodreads review:

Puzzled 4 Murder by J.C. Eaton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The silly little chiweenie definitely caused his fair share of trouble but he did end up doing something pretty cool at the end. That little dog’s a Houdini when it comes to escaping his carrier. Poor Phee felt like she was herding cats once again trying to keep her mom and the book club ladies from getting into danger or trouble, whichever came first.

I always laugh a lot when reading in this series and this book was no exception, those book club ladies crack me up! After a crazy murder mystery that somehow tied into Nate and Marshall’s cold case they were looking into, the showdown was a good one and the ending was super satisfying. Maybe poor Phee’ll get a break—at least until the weather gets cooler lol.

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

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Candle with Care review

February 11, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the Magic Candle Shop Mysteries by Valona Jones, better known as Maggie Toussaint. I just love twin sisters’ characters, Tabby and Sage. They definitely got into some wild predicaments in this book! Read and enjoy, and just a hint that for maximum enjoyment, this series deserves to be read in order to totally learn and appreciate the relationships and character growth.

#MaggieToussaint #ValonaJones #CandlewithCare

My Goodreads review:

Candle With Care by Valona Jones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Every time I read a book in this series, I like the characters even better than ever. We sure learned a lot about some characters who’d had some deep secrets, maybe not necessarily dark ones but surprising.

Lotsa things were resolved and everything came to a head in an epic magical showdown that Tabby had to be sure and leave out the magic part for her statement, lol. The ending was extremely sweet and now I can’t wait for the next book. I’ve heard it was supposed to be the last book so it’ll be a little bittersweet I’m sure. Knowing this author, all our faves will get the happiness they deserve I’m sure.

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

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Star-Crossed Egg Tarts review

January 21, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the second in this enjoyable newer Magical Fortune Cookie series by Jennifer J. Chow and I liked it just as well as, and maybe even more than the first since something super sweet happened at the end. And as always, Whiskers, Felicity’s pet magical bunny was adorable and helpful. Can’t wait to see what the next book brings!

#NetGalley #MinotaurBooks #JenniferJChow

My Goodreads review:

Star-Crossed Egg Tarts by Jennifer J. Chow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoy these key characters and had a great time sleuthing along with Felicity and Kelvin as they worked to figure out who was framing him for murder. He definitely hadn’t signed up for that when he agreed to be a substitute groomsman.

The showdown with Felicity and the killer was a good one and I loved how Felicity got the upper hand. Something super sweet happened for her at the end and now I 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.

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Haunting and Homicide review

January 20, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the first book in a new series by a cozy author we already know as Amber Camp who wrote some awesome horse mysteries. Haunting and Homicide is the first in the Ghost Tours Mysteries by Ava Burke, Amber Camp’s other pen name, and I really loved it! There’s an adorable dog, some friendly ghosts and tons of great action and suspense. Not to mention a really nice sense of family loyalty and togetherness. I was touch disappointed at the very ending, but maybe by the next book, things may be different, who knows!

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #AvaBurke

My Goodreads review:

Haunting and Homicide by Ava Burke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was the perfect paranormal cozy mystery with some awesome ghost characters. I loved Mamie and Albert’s ghosts who were always a big help and Mamie even got to help later on in the book in a bigger way. A new ghost on the block was a jerk at first but eventually came around and was nice.

That was one nail-biting showdown but with some good old ghostly help, Lou lived to investigate another day. I really enjoyed these characters a lot but gotta admit, I was disappointed in the very ending. Everything with the mystery being solved worked out great though.

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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The Incident of the Book in the Nighttime review

January 14, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the tenth book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mysteries by a favorite cozy author, Vicki Delany. I’ve enjoyed this series since its very beginning and definitely believe it’s best enjoyed in order since there’s so much character and relationship development that’s happened since the start. Gemma used to get on my nerves in the beginning, but I’ve decided she’s now like a completely grown up Hermione Granger. I can totally picture Hermione saying of the stuff Gemma does, lol.

I wonder what other adventures might be in store for Gemma and her amazing friends? That Donald just cracks me up sometimes, and he was in rare form in this book! And of course in his element walking the same streets of London he imagined his hero Sherlock Holmes doing. Uncle Arthur sounds like a real hoot too just from some of the reports from back home during this mystery. We’ve always known him to be a little mysterious and most of his appearances are just talked about.

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My Goodreads review:

The Incident of the Book in the Nighttime by Vicki Delany
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

While Gemma was supposed to be having fun in England after her sister got married, she ended up sleuthing another case like the last time she was there on a pleasure trip. Her Sherlock fan friend Donald was pretty stoked at just being in London again let alone getting to tag along on a case with Gemma and Jayne. He came in pretty handy when they all visited an exclusive club and things kinda went crazy there.

In her usual way of intelligently observing and not purposely pestering the police, Gemma finally had the answer and who the killer was just when their time in London was ending. I was halfway expecting a special question from Ryan to her but more craziness from home could’ve been what interrupted. And there was definitely mayhem going on at home as well. Uncle Arthur couldn’t make it to the wedding so he hung out at the store. I got the feeling Gemma wished she could’ve swapped places with him and avoided the headaches she was coming home to lol. Always tons of fun with this group of characters!

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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Dead Men Wag No Tails review

January 5, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Magical Menagerie series by well-known cozy mystery author, Sarah Fox. I loved this series when it started last year and I was super happy to read this second book which definitely didn’t disappoint. I like how Georgie and Callum are growing closer and how the dogs and Euclid the resident owl always seem to help when Georgie’s investigating. I can’t wait for the next book!

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My Goodreads review:

Dead Men Wag No Tails by Sarah Fox
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I read the first book last year, it took me no time at all to fall in love with these characters and the setting, so it was like meeting up with old friends again when I read this book. I love that Georgie’s smart and self-assured (in most things) but she’s not afraid to ask anyone when she needs with something. Those sweet dogs are amazing like their owl friend Euclid. And a visiting parrot seemed to hold the key to something important with the murder case.

I was glad to see Georgie and Callum growing closer and that she was feeling more confident that he was actually happy with her. The ending was really sweet and since they talked about a Halloween themed event coming up, I hope that’s the theme of the next book! It should be tons of fun!

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

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Blame It on the Beignets review

December 8, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the ninth book in the Deputy Donut Mysteries by Ginger Bolton, another favorite series of mine, and I’m always eager to read the next book. Dep’s such a cutie and one of the best clue-sniffing cats in mysteries. She didn’t disappoint! Anyone who’s read the series is gonna recognize the name Jolly Cops Cleaning, so we finally got to meet one of those awesome retired officers who have a cleaning business with Deputy Donuts as a client.

There was a lot going on in this book which included Samantha’s baby shower as well as a budding romance for one of Emily’s good business friends. Can’t wait to see what happens with that, it was just too cute! There was a cute little dog that kept popping up in the story, poor Dep wasn’t too sure about her, but both got to be in the showdown. What someone did to that perp was hilarious!

I thought this free photo from Pexels reminded me of Dep sitting on one of her shelves either in Emily’s office or at home.

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My Goodreads review:

Blame the Beignets by Ginger Bolton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I always enjoy a visit to Fallingbrook to see what Emily and her sweet kitty Deputy aka Dep are up to. Emily’s new assistant Hannah and her sister Olivia who also worked for Emily were the employees featured. Hannah and a couple friends were indirectly involved in a murder, so I could just imagine how poor Olivia was worrying like crazy.

I love that Emily and Brent were settled in as a married couple now like her besties Misty and Samantha. They weren’t in the story a whole lot except for their roles as police officer and paramedic. I was glad the DCI detective that came this time was Rex who we know from previous books. Emily’s friend Summer was really glad to see him lol. I see a new romance starting up and Det. Rex may just have to make excuses to come to town more often.

The showdown was both exciting and fun in a comical sorta way. Everything that led up to catching the perp was pretty awesome and it was a group effort too. Heck, don’t bother with prison, just turn Madame Monique loose on a criminal—they’d probably beg for prison instead lol. I was secretly cheering her on because she had an excellent reason for what she was doing to the perp. I really enjoyed the ending and hopefully it’ll turn out amazing for a very special couple Emily and Brent were good friends with. Can’t wait 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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