Tag: kensington cozies

Tea with Jam and Dread review

Tari Hann

This is the sixth book in the Tea by the Sea Mystery series by another favorite cozy mystery author, Vicki Delany whose other series I also love. I’ve enjoyed Tea by the Sea since its beginning and I’ve loved seeing the relationships develop. This book found our pals at the B&B and tea room in England, Rose’s old stomping grounds of Frockmorton Castle which now had a hotel. Some good mysterious fun and adventure!

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #VickiDelany

My Goodreads review:

Tea with Jam & Dread (Tea by the Sea Mysteries Book 6)Tea with Jam & Dread by Vicki Delany
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

From all the times Rose had ever talked about working Lady Frockmorton, I wasn’t sure I’d ever like that woman. But when we actually got to meet her, she seemed even more down to earth sometimes than Rose herself did. It was more like two old friends reuniting instead of former employer/employee. Lily got to help out in the hotel kitchen and got a taste of how massive their prep was for afternoon tea at the hotel.

Of course no adventure with Lily would be complete without the requisite murder—although I’m pretty sure Lily wouldn’t agree with that statement because this time the police seemed to believe she was involved. It was sleuth or be accused. In true Lily and Bernie style, the friends did their sleuthing together, had a near miss and ended with Lily confronting the killer. It was a fairly non-eventful showdown but it could’ve gone sideways. I thought the ending was really sweet. I can’t honestly say this was one of my favorites in the series, but it was still a good mystery with some quirky and interesting characters.

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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Icing on the Murder review

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 (A Baker Street Mystery Book 4)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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Murder at the High School Reunion review

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 (Maya and Sandra Mystery, #5)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

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 MurderAn 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

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 (A Cat Yoga Mystery Book 2)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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The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg-review

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 (A Domestic Diva Mystery, #18)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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The Spirit Moves review

Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the Haunted Haven Mysteries by Carol J. Perry who cozy readers know for her Witch City Mysteries. I’ve read a few in the original series but since this was a new set of characters, I started Haunted Haven when it first came out and I’ve loved every book so far. This one’s probably been my fave so far! Can’t wait to see what else Maureen and her friends get into!

#NetGalley #CarolJPerry #StMartin #MinotaurBooks

My Goodreads review:

The Spirit Moves (A Haunted Haven Mystery Book 4)The Spirit Moves by Carol J. Perry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really love those four seniors Gert, Molly, George and Sam who live at the Haven House Inn and help out there as well. They’re the most awesome people and I know Maureen wouldn’t know what to do without them. I was happy that the thing I’d been rooting for between Maureen and Ted finally happened and all during a murder investigation too.

I’m crazy about Lorna and Reggie’s ghosts—those two crack me up! Actually Reggie got more of a part in this book than he’s ever had. Mostly it’s Maureen reminding him he’s not supposed to smoke in the building, but this time he was actually advising her on the case. I was as surprised as she was to find out he was actually qualified for that when he was alive, lol. And the piano player ghost Billy Bedoggoned always knows just the tune to play and how to make it sound like it’s just another player piano song.

Maureen got into a tense showdown with the killer but she used her head and kept them talking all while finding something to use against them. Good thinking on her part and now the town could have some relief, and the inn was able to enjoy some new prosperity as well. 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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Fatal Brouhaha review

Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in the Ground Rules Mysteries by Emmaline Duncan, and I’ve enjoyed each one of the series and how the characters changed and developed. One character never did change and I’m just grateful the author decided to do what she did to him. 😉  I can’t wait to read the next book!

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #EmmalineDuncan

My Goodreads review:

Fatal Brouhaha (A Ground Rules Mystery #5)Fatal Brouhaha by Emmeline Duncan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’d been waiting since the get-go to see something happen to Sage and Harley’s nemesis who was such a condescending jerk. He truly deserved what the author had in store for him, thank you Ms. Duncan! But Sage had an extra interest in sleuthing this one, to keep the police off Harley’s back since she and the victim had argued publicly.

Sage faced off with yet another killer after getting the final clue from a really unlikely source, which she rightfully credited later on. Thanks to her quick thinking and some nearby security personnel, Sage lived to see her wedding day. It’ll be interesting to see what she and her pals get into next—if they don’t get into murder and mayhem on the honeymoon lol.

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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Booked for Revenge review

Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Tomes & Tea Mysteries, a spin-off from the Daisy’s Tea Garden Mysteries by Karen Rose Smith. Even if you haven’t finished Daisy’s series, you won’t be lost in this one, take it from me who’s been meaning to get back to Daisy but…there’s so many cozies I wanna read. Jazzi’s an awesome character on her own and once again didn’t disappoint.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #KarenRoseSmith

My Goodreads review:

Booked for Revenge (A Tomes & Tea Mystery Series Book 2)Booked for Revenge by Karen Rose Smith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I read the first book I swore I was gonna get back to the Daisy’s Tea Garden series and try to get that more caught up, but here’s the second Tomes & Tea and I’m still no closer. Although reading it did make me interested in continuing the original series. Jazzi’s a great character and definitely learned a lot from her mom who’d sleuthed when Jazzi was just a teenager.

I’m sure Daisy would’ve been proud of Jazzi during the showdown and what she did to the perp to get away from them. Jazzi and Oliver were cute together as well as Dawn and her new guy. Not sure who I prefer Jazzi with, but I know I don’t wanna see this going into a triangle. Not a fan of triangles at all.

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 by Chocolate Pumpkin Muffin review

Tari Hann

This is the eighth book in the Death by Chocolate Mysteries that I’ve been enjoying since the first book. It’s by cozy mystery author Sarah Graves who first wrote about Jake Tiptree in her Home Repair is Homicide series, but I still haven’t gotten around to starting that one–I just looked at the series on GR and wasn’t aware it had so many books!

Even newish Eastport police chief Lizzie Snow had a 2-book series way prior to this series, but I’m not a fan of thrillers and their dark subject matter, so I probably am gonna pass on that one. It’s still cool she was a character before coming to Jake’s neck of the woods in Eastport, ME. I really enjoy her and Dylan’s characters a lot in the Death by Chocolate series.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #SarahGraves

My Goodreads review:

Death by Chocolate Pumpkin Muffin (A Death by Chocolate Mystery)Death by Chocolate Pumpkin Muffin by Sarah Graves
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Every adventure of Jake and her pal Ellie’s seems to be even more intense and full of mystery than the previous one. This book definitely fit that bill and had me on the edge of the seat at times and laughing at other times. Jake’s first person narrative is always good for some giggles along the way. That woman’s life is seriously chaotic at home but I don’t think she’d have it any other way.

The most epic adventure of this book came toward the end and was definitely nail-biting as Jake (who even rescued a dog in the process), Ellie and Dylan fought for their lives and a teen friend of Lee’s. Of course the good guys came out the winners and the baddies were dealt with. At the end, some friends had a fun thing happen for them, something that surprised everyone. Life’s sure never dull around Jake and Ellie!

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

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