Tag: kensington cozies

Death by Chocolate Ladyfingers review

Tari Hann

This is the ninth book in the Death by Chocolate series by Sarah Graves, and I’ve had the best time laughing and sometimes crying through all of them. This ninth book sure didn’t disappoint even after all that time. I think each one somehow one-ups the previous book, lol. As per my usual recommendations, this series is best enjoyed and savored in order. 

#NetGalley #SarahGraves #KensingtonCozies

My Goodreads review:

 

Death by Chocolate Ladyfingers (A Death by Chocolate Mystery Book 9)Death by Chocolate Ladyfingers by Sarah Graves
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh my goodness, just when I think the previous book was the most exciting adventure Jake and Ellie had, the next book (this one) came along and knocked it outta the park. From car chases to creepy basements to apprehending a killer, Jake pretty much did it all in this book. And she had plenty of bug bites and various injuries to show for it too. But Jake’s heart is as big as it can be and most of this stuff she went through for the sake of one little girl who lost her mother.

I loved the satisfying outcome and the very ending was tons of fun too. Jake and Wade are in for a bumpy ride for sure and I can’t wait to read the next book.

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


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Confessions of an Amateur Sleuth review

Tari Hann

This is the second book in a new series, Bainbridge Island Mysteries by well-known cozy mystery author, Lynn Cahoon, and I enjoyed it just as much as the first book, maybe even more. I can’t wait to read the third book since there was a preview at the end of this one that got me interested.

#NetGalley #LynnCahoon #KensingtonCozies

My Goodreads review:

 

Confessions of an Amateur Sleuth (A Bainbridge Island Mystery Book 2)Confessions of an Amateur Sleuth by Lynn Cahoon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’d enjoyed meeting Meg and her friends in the first book last year, so I was glad to be able to continue the series with this book. It was another good murder mystery presented as Meg’s steps for her amateur sleuth book she was writing.

There were some side stories that were interesting but the best part was catching the perp and keeping them from killing anyone else. I’ll definitely be reading the next book since there’s a one-chapter preview of it at the end of this book that I enjoyed.

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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Murder in a Lavender Daze review

Tari Hann

This is the second book in the new Aroma Wellness Mysteries, a fun spin-off of the Fairy Garden Mysteries by Daryl Wood Gerber. If you liked the Fairy Garden series and miss it, some of the characters guest throughout in this book and the first one. No one’s made a series for it on Goodreads, so the link leads to Amazon, but no worries, I’m not an affiliate. 

#NetGalley #DarylWoodGerber #KensingtonCozies

My Goodreads review:

Murder in a Lavender Daze (An Aroma Wellness Mystery Book 2)Murder in a Lavender Daze by Daryl Wood Gerber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Emma had a client wanting a more unique type of girls’ gathering at the spa, a happily divorced party. Before that could happen though, the client’s mother was murdered and Emma was begged to investigate much to Det. Summers’ dismay. When Emma found herself facing off with a killer, she was thankful for a good security system and a grandma who worried.

I really enjoy Meryl’s character a lot and even the crazy jokes she tells. The side story involved her mom who worked as receptionist when her heart was really more into her standup comic acts. The team got a nice surprise at the end and things worked out for all involved.

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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Some Like It Fudgy review

Tari Hann

This is the fourteenth book in the Candy-Coated Mysteries by Nancy Coco, and I’ve enjoyed all the books to date in this series. It’s really best to read these in order since some relationships build on others and sometimes names might be mentioned. And the Mackinac Island setting really is one of the most awesome places I’ve had the pleasure of vacationing in. This series was what sparked interest in that and I’ve been ready to go back ever since. 

#NetGalley #NancyCoco #KensingtonCozies

My Goodreads review:

Some Like It Fudgy (Candy-Coated Mystery #14)Some Like It Fudgy by Nancy CoCo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When this author writes a character that makes readers dislike the person so much they just wanna toss that person in the slammer (or worse lol), you know that’s talent. There was definitely a character like that in this book but I won’t elaborate so it doesn’t spoil anything. I’d read the book blurb for this book and knew who the victim was so that in itself created a whole big can of proverbial worms between Allie and Rex.

It was kinda fun to see Allie switch up and sleuth with her girlfriends this time. I love the island seniors, no question about that but for reasons you’ll find out when you read this, she felt she needed a switch-up. There was plenty of comic relief going on in this book, and Allie ran the range of all the emotions she had inside her. Let’s just say I felt sorry for poor Officer Brown, lol.

The showdown and outcome were super satisfying and I really enjoyed the two-chapter preview of a new series being launched by the author. I won’t say more about it so I don’t spoil that either, but I’ll definitely be wanting to read 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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Two Purloined Pillows review

Tari Hann

This is the second in the latest series, Nimble Needle, by Allie Pleiter whose other cozy mystery series was also fiber crafts related, Riverbank Knitting Mysteries. I’ve always wanted to get to that series so maybe I should do that while waiting on the next book in this series which I’m super eager for now. Check out her biography page on Goodreads (linked above to her name) if you’re interested in her other non-mystery series.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #AlliePleiter

My Goodreads review:

 

Two Purloined Pillows (A Nimble Needle Mystery, #2)Two Purloined Pillows by Allie Pleiter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed returning to Gwen Lake and hanging out with Shelby, her mom and the NYAG ladies (Not Your Average Grannies) who remind me a lot of the Golden Girls, lol. When one of the needlepoint artists for the festival was murdered, Shelby took it personally and set out to find the killer. She had a little help from her pals Deb and Jake (with Jake, I hope she becomes a lot more than pals eventually!).

I enjoyed the side story of Shelby’s sweet nephew who just wanted to be an artist and not mess around trying to play sports. I loved what she did for him using the help of one of the festival artists. Meanwhile that wily killer had totally fooled everyone. I never even had a suspicion! I can’t wait for the next book now that some fun changes are coming to the Nimble Needle’s needlepoint groups.

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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If Books Could Kill review

Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Tomes & Tea Mysteries by Karen Rose Smith, an awesome spin-off of her Daisy’s Tea Garden Mysteries with the MC Jazzi being none other than Daisy’s now-grown daughter. Of course Jazzi practically grew up with her mom amateur sleuthing, so this li’l apple doesn’t fall far from her momma’s tree! 

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #KarenRoseSmith

My Goodreads review:

 

If Books Could Kill (Tomes & Tea Mysteries #3)If Books Could Kill by Karen Rose Smith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve really enjoyed this spin-off series from Daisy’s Tea Garden and was happy to see a very special guest as a brief part of this book. Jazzi had her work cut out for her both at the bookstore and trying to find who killed her librarian friend. She managed to make a new friend in the process and help said new friend find someone she hadn’t seen in a long time. After a scary showdown with a killer where Jazzi definitely held her own, I’m sure she’s totally ready to take a nice long vacation.

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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Easter Egg Murder review

Tari Hann

This is the latest seasonal anthology from Kensington that always includes three favorite cozy mystery authors and their latest offerings in their series as in-between novellas. As always, there was murder and mayhem but plenty of Easter shenanigans. This is a great way to get your fix for these series before their next book comes out.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #LeslieMeier #LeeHollis #PeggyEhrhart

My Goodreads review:

Easter Egg Murder (A Lucy Stone Mystery, #31.6)Easter Egg Murder by Leslie Meier
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

These were three fun Easter-themed murder mysteries from three of our fave cozy mystery authors who’ve been appearing together in these seasonal collections for several years now. Lucy Stone’s story kicked off the trio with a trip to France where she met up with an unlikely sleuth partner. It was kinda cool to see Lucy talking to someone besides Bill about a mystery.

Hayley Powell’s story as always was fun and funny—we even got a couple of my favorite things about the series, what I call Sergio-isms and his innocent stumbling over some words. He’s such an awesome character and brother-in-law to Hayley who again faced off with a killer proving something was definitely rotten in Bar Harbor.

Pamela and Bettina sleuthed together again and faced off with another killer after Pamela figured it all out. There was an extra awesome ending for this story too giving the Knit and Nibblers yet another reason for celebration.

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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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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