Tag: kensington cozies

Murder from A to Z review

Tari Hann

This is the eleventh book in the Mystery Bookshop series by V.M. (Valerie) Burns, a long-running series I’ve enjoyed from the very beginning. I just love Sam, Nana Jo and all the ladies from Shady Acres…and the two adorable poodles Oreo and Snickers are always the stars of every book cover! 

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #ValerieBurns #VMBurns

My Goodreads review:

Murder from A to Z (Mystery Bookshop #11)Murder from A to Z by V.M. Burns
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I never get tired of Nana Jo’s friends from Shady Acres especially the incorrigible Irma and always get a huge laugh going when she starts to say something raunchy and everyone goes “Irma!” There were so many good ones in this book, loved ‘em all! Irma might be a little questionable in her actions, but she managed to get some good info for the case as they all did.

After two bodies, I still hadn’t guessed whodunit or let’s just say I was wrong. The showdown was awesome and super satisfying as to what happened to that nasty perp. But someone nice got a good ending which the lady who died would’ve been happy about. Oh and I loved the nod to New Bison, the other Michigan city in another of the author’s current series.

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 Spirited Supper at Dundoon Castle review

Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Food & Spirits Mysteries by Darci Hannah, and it’s a great way to get a trip in to Scotland without ever leaving the comforts of your home. I like that some of the characters that’d been in a book in the Beacon Bakeshop series were spun off into this new series. Giff has to be my fave, he’s such an awesome character! 

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #DarciHannah

My Goodreads review;

A Spirited Supper at Dundoon Castle (A Food and Spirits Mystery Book 2)A Spirited Supper at Dundoon Castle by Darci Hannah
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I think my favorite Food & Spirits host is good old Giff himself. That guy’s such a hoot and has some of the best lines, not to mention the role of the ‘medium’ in the show. It’s cute how Bunny and Brett seem to’ve gotten closer, then they ended up facing off with a killer. Which gave them an extra incentive to stay alive and get that person into police custody.

Bunny mentioned England was their next stop, an island which definitely sounds cozy spooky just like this book was. My favorite way to travel, by Kindle!

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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Gull & Bones review

Tari Hann

This is the eighth book in the Seaside Knitters Society by Sally Goldenbaum, but there was a whole series of it before that just called Seaside Knitters (changed due to a publisher change, I believe). While I haven’t read many of the original series, I’ve followed the Seaside Knitters Society for the last eight books and feel like these four ladies are definitely old friends to come home to.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #SallyGoldenbaum

 

Gull & Bones (Seaside Knitters Society Book 8)Gull & Bones by Sally Goldenbaum
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

From the author’s vivid descriptions of Angus and all the good deeds and friends he’d made, I really felt like I knew him as a character and not just someone who appeared shortly in this book. I felt like wow, he’s been in this series all along, I wonder what book he could’ve been mentioned in. Whether he was or not, it’s always a year between these books, so I had no recollection but still felt like I knew his character well.

It was sad he was the one to be killed in the book, but his friends all mourned for him and had different ways of grieving, some privately and some as a group. Angus would’ve wanted his party to go on, so I’m pretty sure he was smiling down on everyone especially at the party held at the end of the book revealing a super sweet secret. I bet if he hadn’t died, he’d’ve said he guessed 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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The Tattered Cover review

Tari Hann

This is the eighth book in the Secret, Book & Scone Society series by a cozy fave author, Ellery Adams. I’ve really enjoyed the growth of these women as individuals and a group since the very first book. They’ve all come such a long way, but they’d be the first to say they’ve probably got lots more room to grow and change, so I’ll definitely be along for the ride as long the series continues.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #ElleryAdams

My Goodreads review:

The Tattered Cover (Secret, Book and Scone Society, #8)The Tattered Cover by Ellery Adams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It’s always fun to return to Miracle Springs, NC and see what Nora and all her friends get into. Sheldon as always was at his comic best—he can be funny and super sweet all in the same moment. Estella had a couple extra good things happen, although another thing wasn’t so good. Two murders that Grant and his team were investigating didn’t make for the greatest togetherness during this trio of holidays, but he always managed to spend time with Nora.

Toward the end it got extra exciting and reading was basically nonstop by then. The perp was caught and eventually confessed while the friends got ready to celebrate Christmas together then with their own sets of family/friends. I always love how these ladies are like sisters and fiercely protect each other no matter what. After a couple joyful events and a scary one, it was finally time to have Christmas. Every time one of these books ends, I hate to leave these characters who’ve become like old friends. Can’t wait to see what they get into next time!

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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Witch and Tell review

Tari Hann

This is the seventh book in the Witch Way Librarian Mysteries by Angela M. Sanders. I’ve enjoyed this series since the get-go and love all the twists and turns along with the awesome character development. Something hinky was going down in Wilbur, and Josie was determined to get to the bottom of it! Can’t wait to read the next book!

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #AngelaMSanders

My Goodreads review:

Witch and Tell (Witch Way Librarian Mysteries Book 7)Witch and Tell by Angela M. Sanders
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I always get a kick outta those two grandkids of Patty’s in this series, Thor and Buffy. They’re either mini con artists or entrepreneurs in the making. It’s hilarious how they’re always charging for their various services. You name it, if it’s legal (and it’s not after their bedtime) these kids’ll take money for whatever job you need done, lol.

Josie knew something had been draining her magic and since there were some newcomers to town, she wasn’t sure which one, if any was doing that. One of the lessons from Gran clued her into a nasty relative she had and ended up in a showdown with. But a new friend and some epic magic showed evil that it wasn’t welcome here and good ruled once more. I’m eager now to find out more about the good character Josie could be related to.

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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Epilogue to a Christmas Murder review

Tari Hann

This is the eleventh book in the Beyond the Page Bookstore Mysteries by awesome but no long with us author Lauren Elliott. She sadly passed away this summer and it really felt like the cozy world lost a good friend as well as a storyteller. This book was bittersweet knowing there’s probably no more coming unless there was a manuscript she was finishing up. (readers can always hope I guess!)

But I wonder if maybe she did intend this book to be the last since she titled it with the word “epilogue.” Once the book’s read, I feel like as readers, we’re an imaginative enough bunch that we can kinda figure out what’s next for Addie. I know it’s finally something happy! She’s sure due for something amazing in her life after all this!

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #LaurenElliott

My Goodreads review:

Epilogue to a Christmas Murder (Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery, #11)Epilogue to a Christmas Murder by Lauren Elliott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Addie’s old friend Marc got a little taste of what an amateur sleuth goes through when he recused himself from a murder case that ended up involving his cousin. Good old “dog with a bone” as Addie had been called before wouldn’t let go this time either, and as always provided the missing clue to the puzzle when she confronted a killer.

The coolest part of all was that Noah, the British detective Addie met and solved a case with was there in the States getting in her head in person. But he’d never really left her head (or heart) since she came back from England.

Everything was mostly wrapped up and explained, although there were a couple minor things that I still had questions about, so I guess those won’t ever get cleared up. We can always use our imaginations on who that donation thief really was and I’m pretty sure Addie was finally, finally gonna get her happily ever after.

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 Tom Turkey review

Tari Hann

This is the eighteenth book in the long-running Hayley Powell Food & Cocktail Mysteries by brother/sister duo Lee Hollis (Rick Copp, Holly Simason), and the authors never fail to come through with lots of funny scenes and a great overall mystery. I always love Hayley’s sweet pup Leroy who’s still around, but in the cozy mystery world anything can happen while real-life dogs would be on Leroy Junior, Junior, Junior by now lol. He’s a good mainstay and has been from the beginning.

I was excited that my fave police chief’s Sergio-isms as I like to call them returned. Yes, I’m that nerd who actually counts how many times he says something funny when he means something else. I love the character to pieces and really missed his little additions in the last book. His delivery says it all and while I didn’t notice any Sergio-isms in the last book (Sergio was a touch boring in that book), he definitely made a comeback in this story and was better than ever!

Another thing I noticed several books ago was the articles in between chapters that Hayley writes for the Island Times have gotten better and even funnier. I gotta admit in the beginning I’d kinda skim those but these recent ones have been pretty hilarious.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #LeeHollis

My Goodreads review:

Death of a Tom Turkey (A Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery Book 18)Death of a Tom Turkey by Lee Hollis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was so happy to see the Sergio-isms return! Those are just so funny and had always been part of this series but the last book or two just didn’t cut it and Sergio was just plain boring. But not in this book, he was in rare form, so if he was real I’d wanna hug him lol! Mona was also in rare form as well. Of all the B characters, I think I love those two best!

What a crazy and complicated case that even included some court action but a cool plot twist toward the end took care of wrapping up the case, and it was in typical Hayley style too. What a wild Thanksgiving!

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

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Mrs. Morris & the Day of the Dead review

Tari Hann

This is the tenth and sadly the final book in the Salem B&B mysteries by Traci Wilton, the talented writing team consisting of Traci Hall and Patrice Wilton. This final book was bittersweet and I’m really gonna miss this series a lot, but the authors sure did a nice job of wrapping it up.

#NetGalley #TraciWilton #KensingtonCozies

My Goodreads review:

Mrs. Morris and the Day of the Dead (Salem B&B, #10)Mrs. Morris and the Day of the Dead by Traci Wilton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It’s always sad to say goodbye to a favorite series, especially one I’ve read since the very first book. But I thought it was really fitting that the first book and this last one should take place on Halloween, the heart and soul season of Salem. It showed a lot how the characters grew and developed and was basically an emotional rollercoaster for this reader. There were still plenty of funny Jack and Avery moments now that she could see and talk to the ghost. It was hilarious how he could still get her to almost answer him in front of people.

Without giving away any spoilers, just trust me that if you’ve followed this series, you’ll want to read this, although I give this a strong tissue alert. I absolutely loved it. If you’re just starting with this book, I actually recommend not doing that and reading this series from the beginning. You’ll be very glad you did!

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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Sour Crime Donuts review

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 (A Deputy Donut Mystery)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.

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Seven Secret Spellcasters review

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 (Kitchen Witch Mysteries, #7)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.

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