good friends – Page 8 – Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

Death at the Dinner Party review

September 17, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the third book in a new series, Secret Bookcase Mysteries by a favorite cozy mystery author, Ellie Alexander. I’ve read all three so far as ARCs and the stories do build on each other as far as Annie’s backstory and her growing relationships with people (one handsome guy in particular!). Which means I highly recommend reading in order for the most enjoyment possible.

I can’t wait for the next book, A Holiday Homicide which publishes November 30, and it’s already up for pre-order as well as on Goodreads. The link to that book takes you to its Goodreads page for a little sneak peek. From the Goodreads page, you can go to your favorite bookstore and pre-order.

My Goodreads review:

Death at the Dinner Party by Ellie Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It sounded like a super fun adventure to Annie as far as helping her friend’s girlfriend throw a murder mystery dinner party at her old farmhouse as a fundraiser. But like all good mysteries, there had to be a storm trapping everyone inside and of course a murder. It was a good thing Annie had a criminology background or she probably would’ve fallen apart like her pal Pri almost did. I knew her mentor was gonna be really proud of her once the police made it there.

I’m loving how things have changed for the better between Annie and Liam and I’ll be eager to see things progress. And I just love that sweet Hal! What a great guy who runs the bookshop but he’s more like a grandpa to Annie and Fletcher than a boss. Annie’s really blessed to have such a great work family. The showdown was a little scary, in a human way of course but with a little help and some perseverance, Annie and Pri lived to sleuth another day. I can’t wait to read the next book which is Christmas themed!

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

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Six Stunning Sirens review

September 16, 2024September 16, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the sixth book in the Kitchen Witch Mysteries by Lynn Cahoon, a series I’ve read from its beginning, and I love how the characters got to grow and evolve from how they were in the very beginning. Trent’s dad was in this book more than I’ve ever seen him which was actually a good thing because you get to see what loving dad and husband he really is and what helped shape Trent and Levi into the amazing guys they turned out to be. I love the role Trent’s mom’s taken on as Mia’s catering manager. Now if Mia could just ditch that darn Lodge job and be back with her own catering family, I think she’d be an extremely happier camper!

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #LynnCahoon

My Goodreads review:

Six Stunning Sirens by Lynn Cahoon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mia’s Morsels got the catering job for the Harvest Festival pageant and there couldn’t’ve been more drama if it’d been special-ordered. When a contestant’s mom was killed, Mia had to wonder if there was magic afoot and just what someone might do to ensure their own daughter won.

There were some good side stories too which were pretty fun. Everything ended with the fellowship of the Sleuthing Club in Mia’s kitchen along with some more good news. There wasn’t anything happening to worry about at the end, just a nice ending. I really hope there’ll be more books because now I can’t wait to see what’s next!

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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Death of a Gingerbread Man review

September 15, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the seventeenth book in the long-running Hayley Powell Food & Cocktails Mysteries by brother/sister writing team, Lee Hollis. Lee’s made up of Holly Simason and her brother Rick Copp and I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read by these two talented people who’ve collaborated on three cozy mystery series. The Hayley Powell series link above leads to the Amazon series page because the GR listing doesn’t have the series on it. (The Amazon link’s not an affiliate link, been there done that, it didn’t work out lol.)

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #LeeHollis

My Goodreads review:

Death of a Gingerbread Man by Lee Hollis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I might’ve been hoping for too much humor this time around because even though I loved spending Christmas with Hayley and the gang, I was really disappointed there wasn’t much in the line of hilarious moments going on, especially my favorite Sergio-isms! I really missed those a lot and I hate to admit it but he was boring this time. Earl was the only person just slightly funny and Mona was kinda off her game too. We got a good dose of her usual craziness in the beginning but that was pretty much all. There was a humorous scene at a cooking lesson that Hayley gave but it didn’t involve any regulars.

I’m sure it had to do with the nature of this story though and wanting to make sure Hayley’s father, Dwight got a decent backstory and mystery which was the highlight of this book and of course a returning father would make for a more serious subject. I liked it as much as previous books, but I really didn’t have as much fun reading it.

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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Shear Terror review

September 14, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Sewing Studio Mysteries by Dorothy Howell, and I’m liking the characters better with each book. Who wouldn’t love having an aunt like Sarah with a bakery and an awesome bestie like Caitlin?

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #DorothyHowell

My Goodreads review:

Shear Terror by Dorothy Howell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’d forgotten how funny this series could be in places, and I also remembered what a smart kitty that Cheddar, the community cat was. He definitely knew what he liked or didn’t like. I was pretty sure I knew who was behind all the mysteries going on in the town. The ending was a really satisfying one and the very ending was really sweet too!

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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Silent Nights Are Murder review

September 13, 2024September 13, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the ninth book and sadly, the finale of the Poppy McAllister Mysteries by Libby Klein. But I have it from a reliable source that it’s possible it could be revisited sometime. I absolutely love this wrap-up that one of my favorite series got and think the author did a fabulous job. There were extra doses of hilarity (LOTS of extra doses which I loved!), cuteness and just plain awww moments. And you’ve just never experienced Christmas in Cape May until you celebrate with Aunt Ginny!

Don’t miss this last in the series but do yourselves a favor and definitely read the entire series first. It’s honestly worth it to get the complete picture of characters, relationships, not to mention the total comedy scene as well. You won’t wanna miss one minute of any of the moments this series has to offer!

If I had time to reread, this series would be up there possibly first for me. If someone’s feeling sad, I can guarantee this series will bring a laugh or ten and make you feel tons better once you read about all of Poppy’s issues! But they’re always presented in a lighthearted and comical way, so it’s never anything too heavy. Poppy, Aunt Ginny, the Biddies and of course Gia and Henry will always remain among my most favorite cozy mystery characters! And who can forget Sir Figaro Newton! I didn’t know if I liked Fig much in the beginning, but now I’m crazy over that silly cat! (And…just don’t read when you’re hungry because Poppy’s quite the chef!)

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #LibbyKlein

My Goodreads review:

Silent Nights Are Murder by Libby Klein
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My most fave of all the books! There was so much going on that was absolutely hilarious, I was laughing practically the entire time I read. The ending was just perfect and I loved that all this happened at Christmastime. The mystery case was solved and everyone went on and had an amazing Christmas Eve and Day. I’d loved to’ve seen that Christmas village display inside the B&B, it sounded hysterical! I never guessed the culprit for that or for the main case itself, lotsa great intrigue which kept me reading.

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 Slay Ride Together with You review

September 12, 2024September 12, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the seventh in the long-running Year-Round Christmas Mysteries by Vicki Delany, and I absolutely love this series. What an awesome concept although as showed in this book, they do celebrate other holidays besides Christmas since the book was taking place around Easter time. I just love that sweet, big old Mattie, the St. Bernard. It cracks me up how he listens to Det. Diane so well but Merry, not so much lol.

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #VickiDelany

My Goodreads review:

A Slay Ride Together With You by Vicki Delany
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another awesome offering from a fave cozy author who never fails to hand readers a super satisfying showdown and takedown of a killer in the story. And there was just the right amount of creepy atmosphere for the old house Vicky and Mark bought together haunted by a very flesh and blood ghost. I loved how the girls teamed up against the killer and as always, it led up to a fun-filled ending with food, dancing and lotsa friendship.

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 Grim Steeper review

September 10, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Witches Brew Mysteries by Gretchen Rue, a series I’ve enjoyed since it started. Ya just gotta love a crazy orange cat named Bob! Who’s a good boy, Bob? I love the camaraderie of the town and how they’ve accepted Phoebe into their small business family.

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #GretchenRue

My Goodreads review:

The Grim Steeper by Gretchen Rue
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve loved this series from its beginning two books ago and now I’m loving it even more. Along with some murders and other shenanigans going on with some of a visiting bird guy’s staff, Phoebe found out a lot about her own witchy powers and things started looking a lot better for her everywhere.

That showdown was epic and I do believe Det. Patsy thought so too. Phoebe was shocked at what others already knew about her when she was just learning some of this stuff herself. A favorite ending theme, food and fellowship was enjoyed by Phoebe and all her friends which were really her little family she’d acquired when she moved to Raven Creek. I can’t wait for the next book!

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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French Quarter Fright Night review

September 1, 2024September 1, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Vintage Cookbook Mysteries by Ellen Byron, and I’m so glad it found a new home with a different publisher. I sure hope it’s continuing but if not, this was a really good way to end the trilogy. I’ll have to stay tuned to the newsletter the author sends out to see what’s going on with the series. Halloween in NOLA, is there anyplace crazier to party for Halloween? LOL

#NetGalley #SevernHouse #EllenByron

My Goodreads review:

French Quarter Fright Night by Ellen Byron
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was so happy when this series got a new publishing home since I was definitely not done being caught up in NOLA with these amazing characters. I hope there’s more to come since there’s one continuing mystery that got solved, but I can see tons more stories for these folks.

This book was especially cool taking place during October leading up to Halloween in NOLA. It was a great armchair vacation as well as a twisty, fun mystery. I hadn’t seen the whodunit coming until it was there, and the showdown was short but effective. I love how Ricki had taken intern Olivia under her wing like a younger sister, but I was never sure Liv appreciated it until toward the end. A cute side story about a kitten had a good ending and while I’ve only known this author to use an epilogue when she’s ending a series, I really, really hope this one isn’t ending! It nicely wrapped up the three books, but I guess it’s just hard to let go of characters we’ve come to like so much as readers. Hoping for more but pretty happy with the ending if this was it.

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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In the Event of Murder review

August 23, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Starlit Bookshop Mysteries by Cynthia Kuhn which seemed like a long time making an appearance since the first book was published in December of 2021, but luckily it did happen. Once the book got moving along, everything came back as far as the characters and why I liked (or in some cases, didn’t like) those people.

In this book the local who stood out to me was Vivi the caterer. She’s such an amazing friend to Emma when she needed different things like a replacement venue. What an awesome lady! Her polar opposite was Tabitha, a a former high school mean girl turned into a mean woman who Emma unfortunately had to work with professionally for the gala. Tune into the book and see how this all comes together!

If you tap/click on the series link above, you’ll see a third book listed called Save the Date for Murder, but there’s no publication date or cover yet. I’m actually glad to hear a third book’s coming since this book ended on such a happy note, and I just know there’s more to come.

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #CynthiaKuhn

My Goodreads review:

In the Event of Murder by Cynthia Kuhn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’d actually forgotten a lot about this series since it’s been nearly three years since the first book came out, but it didn’t take long at all to remember what I liked about the different characters…or didn’t like as in mean girl Tabitha’s case lol.

I hadn’t guessed whodunit and enjoyed the low key showdown, although there’d been plenty of drama to make up for that throughout the book. I love the relationship Emma and Lucy have with their aunt Nora who lives with them in their childhood home where she raised them. Lucy had an amazing ending and the other two as well.

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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Sticks and Scones review

August 21, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the nineteenth book in the long-running foodie series Bakeshop Mysteries by well-known cozy mystery author, Ellie Alexander. I think this could be my favorite book so far in the series and the way it ended (no cliffhanger, I promise, and it was a good ending too), I’m really glad the next one releases in February!

#NetGalley #St.MartinPaperbacks #EllieAlexander

My Goodreads review:

Sticks and Scones by Ellie Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was an extra awesome one as readers soon find out toward the end of the book. Meanwhile, one of the actors in Lance’s player company was murdered, and Lance was itching to sleuth with Jules again. Those two always crack me up when they go sleuthing! Lance is such a fun and crazy character, love him to pieces!

The series has lotsa other amazing characters that’ve grown and changed over the course of the series. I really love The Professor’s character and how he’s been such an awesome dad figure for Jules as well as a fair and hard-working police detective. Eye leakage may be experienced toward the end but it’s the happy kind. Can’t wait for the next book which thankfully comes in February!

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

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