Tag: kensington cozies

A Fatal Feast at Bramsford Manor review

Tari Hann

This is the first book in a new series, Food & Spirits Mysteries by Darci Hannah. If you’ve read either of her other two cozy mystery series, you’ll recognize a few of the team that Bunny MacBride was invited to join on their realty show dealing with food, of course, but the other type of spirits. 😉 I absolutely can’t wait for the next book!

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My Goodreads review:

A Fatal Feast at Bramsford ManorA Fatal Feast at Bramsford Manor by Darci Hannah
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Talk about a great book hangover! I wanted it to go on, but the ending was absolutely perfect for it! I love how the author made some of the supporting characters spin-offs from her other books where they were mentioned first. I did really like the Beacon Bakeshop book (Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant) that featured the Ghost Guys and spun off those characters into this story. Bunny was a fun main character and I just love her Granny!

I was totally surprised by whodunit and hadn’t ever suspected that person. What a great showdown which showed Bunny how awesome it was to have a Gran that knew just when she needed her! (I think even non-medium grandmas are a lot like that anyway!) Understatement of the year here, but I 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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Trouble Is Brewing review

Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in the Tea by the Sea Mysteries by well-known cozy mystery author, Vicki Delany aka Eva Gates of the Lighthouse Library Mysteries. I’ve enjoyed this series as much as her other ones. She’s always known for clever, fun characters and some cute pets like Eclair the Labradoodle and Robbie, Rose’s lap cat. Lily and her grandma really had their work cut out for them this time, what a crazy bunch of guests!

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My Goodreads review:

Trouble Is Brewing (Tea by the Sea Mysteries Book 5)Trouble Is Brewing by Vicki Delany
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What’s even worse than a bridezilla? A groom’s Momzilla, that’s what and Sophia filled that role like a champ. I didn’t care for her at all but her own mother-in-law Regina who was pretty insufferable as it was stood up to Sophia’s insults and petty comments about her. I agreed with Bernie, I kinda liked the old lady! Such is the life of B&B and tearoom owners Rose and Lily.

I’m pretty sure I’d never have the patience for doing their jobs but they were awfully good at it. And wouldn’t life be boring without a bestie like Bernie? She always cracks me up but somehow she and her total opposite Lily work out great as besties and bring out the best in each other.

I’d actually guessed the killer but not any of the reasons behind it and loved how Rose helped get a somewhat confession from the person. Nice and safe and working with Detective Amy too. I loved that Amy was taking the lead on this case since especially in the first book or two, Det. Williams was just jerk who wanted to solve a case fast and close it out. Maybe he was afraid of Amy, lol. He’s actually acting pretty decent in this book, but it was using Amy’s ideas that closed this case out.

The end brought a fun thing coming up for Rose, Simon and Lily so it’ll be interesting to see if the next book tells all about that. It’s sure got some possibilities but I won’t spoil what’s happening.

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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Chaos at the Lazy Bones Bookshop review

Tari Hann

This is the first book in a new series, Halloween Bookshop Mysteries by Emmaline Duncan who cozy mystery readers know from her Ground Rules Mysteries which I’ve read from the beginning and really enjoy as well. This series might take another book or two to totally convince me, but I did like the setting and the 24/7/365 idea of Halloween.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #EmmalineDuncan

My Goodreads review:

Chaos at the Lazy Bones Bookshop (Halloween Bookshop Mystery, #1)Chaos at the Lazy Bones Bookshop by Emmeline Duncan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved the concept of an all-Halloween town 24/7/365 and did like the key players. But somehow the book just didn’t speak to me like the author’s other series did at the very beginning. The addition of a possible guy for Bailey was cool, but I wished it could’ve been a little sooner in the book. The murder seemed to drag on forever without any action or that something that usually compels me to keep reading. I took a few breaks from the book but not because I didn’t like it, it just wasn’t moving at the usual cozy mystery pace I’m used to.

Since it’s the very first book, I’m definitely willing to give it a chance and read the next book when it comes out. I liked the side mystery of finding out who Bailey’s bio dad was—I was actually right in my guess and from sheer dumb luck I guessed the killer correctly too.

As far as characters went, I really wished we could’ve had more of Bailey’s grandpa around and in the picture. He apparently lives with her but aside from a couple scenes, he just wasn’t in it like half of the couple who’d ended up raising her. I hope he’s in the next book a little more. On the other hand, I didn’t like her brother at all and was just as happy he wasn’t in it much, lol. It’ll be interesting to see what happens when the truth comes out about the bookshop, so maybe that’ll be touched on more in the next book 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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A Cup of Flour, a Pinch of Death review

Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Baker Street Mysteries by a favorite cozy mystery author Valerie Burns, aka V.M. Burns when she’s writing the Mystery Bookshop Mysteries. I always love her characters and this series was definitely not an exception. It was awesome to read her comment on Facebook recently that she was working on book 4 of this series, yay!

I just love that big ol’ Mastiff dog, Baby! I never would’ve pegged book 1 Maddy as someone who’d grow to love a 250-lb. slobbery dog, but the two are pretty darn inseparable.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #ValerieBurns

My Goodreads review:

A Cup of Flour, A Pinch of Death (Baker Street Mystery, #3)A Cup of Flour, A Pinch of Death by Valerie Burns
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What an amazing conclusion for what was actually a story arc of related events. Maddy was finally gonna get closure on her beloved aunt’s death but not before the fight of her life. Not to mention her nemesis and ex coming to town. The book started out with a super funny scene and just kept getting better and better.

Maddy’s grown so much in these three books and I was so proud of the stuff she did in this book. Her dad the Admiral was in town too and I never thought we’d ever get to see the more human side of him, but I’ve got a new admiration for his character. And I know he approved of Maddy’s choice of a boyfriend this time, you could just tell.

That was one of the best showdowns I’ve ever read about and all I can say is that perp deserved everything anyone did to them in self-defense. In some ways, I wasn’t surprised at who it was. I’m super eager now to read book 4 that I saw on social was in the works.

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 Very Woodsy Murder review

Tari Hann

This is the first book in a brand new series by cozy mystery author Ellen Byron, and like her other series, it’s sure to be a hit. Having worked in TV before and actually having written comedy shows according to her bio, Ms. Byron sure had lots to pull from to create an awesome character like Dee Stern. I can’t wait for the next book! Stoney the bear absolutely cracked me up. He’s smarter than he looks 😉

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My Goodreads review

A Very Woodsy Murder (A Golden Motel Mystery Book 1)A Very Woodsy Murder by Ellen Byron
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was such a fun start for this new series! There were so many funny moments but some heartwarming ones as well. I got the biggest kick from good old Stoney the bear and how he was named. Stoney got the last word in too, lol and you’ll see what that was when you read this.

The showdown was good but quick and effective. It was great how Dee came up with whodunit and planned her killer confrontation ahead with law enforcement at least. And what a great ending!

I didn’t think too much of Serena’s character at first but I immediately loved Elmira’s character. Although both ladies proved to be amazing friends when everything was wrapped up. Oh and I can’t forget Dee’s dad—just imagining his funny voices he liked to do cracked me up! It’ll be interesting to see what adventure Dee and Jeff get into 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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A Murder for the Sages review

Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Sunflower Cafe Mysteries by Amy Lillard and it’s tons of fun. That little Yorkie that Sissy, the main character has is just a character himself. He’s named Duke and believes he’s a Great Dane or something that’s usually named Duke, lol.

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My Goodreads review:

A Murder for the Sages (Sunflower Café Mysteries #3)A Murder for the Sages by Amy Lillard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This mystery seemed very slow-going but it could’ve been that it was just building toward a really good ending that I thoroughly enjoyed. I’d never suspected the person who ended up as the killer, and honestly I couldn’t really come up with anyone as the perp. The showdown was a little tense but didn’t drag on forever which was good. I also love it when dogs or cats are the heroes of the day or to paraphrase Sissy “better than Lassie even.”

The ending was super sweet and pretty much what I’ve waited these three books to see. I haven’t heard anything about whether there’s gonna be a book four but I definitely wouldn’t be opposed to 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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Haunting License review

Tari Hann

This is the third in the super fun Haunted Haven Mysteries set in Florida by Carol J. Perry who also writes the long-running Witch City Mysteries. By the third book, or sometimes even second I start really feeling like characters are old friends (even the resident ghosts), and these guys didn’t disappoint. I was happy to read in the author’s email newsletter that there’ll definitely be a book 4 and it was recently turned in at the publisher for edits. Yay!

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My Goodreads review:

Haunting License (A Haunted Haven Mystery)Haunting License by Carol J. Perry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a pretty exciting case and I loved that Maureen actually had a sidekick to sleuth with. She and Kim got along so well, I was pulling for Kim to stay in the area and work, but you’ll have to read it and see. Those inn ghosts are too awesome especially Lorna since she’s the one who talks, a lot lol, and hangs out in Maureen’s apartment. Ghost Billy sometimes on piano always played something that went right along with what was going on, pretty cool.

Lots of successes happened for the inn with this third book. I just love Trent and Pierre’s characters! Their energy is off the charts and they’re just so much fun to read about while working their design and carpentry magic. It wasn’t really a surprise as to whodunit, it was the thrill of the chase in this book and more how the perp was caught. I can’t wait for Book 4 which I know for sure is on its way eventually.

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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Olive You to Death review

Tari Hann

This is the sixteenth in the long-running Tourist Trap Mysteries by well-known cozy mystery author, Lynn Cahoon. She’s another author where you just can’t go wrong with anything she’s written. I love it all!

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My Goodreads review:

Olive You to Death (A Tourist Trap Mystery Book 16)Olive You to Death by Lynn Cahoon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another fun visit to South Cove and a murder plus a side mystery were keeping Jill’s plates spinning as she worked to finalize her MBA along with other various things going on in her life. When Josh first came to South Cove, I remember not liking him too well at all. I still can’t really say he’s even at the bottom of my fave characters, lol, but he’s definitely come a long way from back then. He seemed like such a curmudgeon that I always thought he was lots older.

Aunt Jackie had good news, or bad if you looked at it from Jill’s standpoint, but like everything else, it all came together. Jill had the most unlikely showdown partner but they got the best of the perp and Jill lived to sleuth another day. Or watch her two friends get married. It’ll be interesting to see what the next book deals with. Will it be yet another one before Jill and Greg get married? Or is it gonna be closer to the wedding and a big old mystery comes up Jill just has to solve before getting married? I guess we’ll find out eventually!

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 Spelling Bee review

Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the Maya and Sandra Mysteries by another favorite cozy author, Lee Hollis, which is the brother/sister team of Holly Simason and Rick Copp. I absolutely love the Hayley Powell series, and this one’s another really fun one that’s best enjoyed starting at the beginning.

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My Goodreads review:

Murder at the Spelling Bee (Maya and Sandra Mystery, #4)Murder at the Spelling Bee by Lee Hollis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This might be the first time I’ve ever been right in guessing the perp and some reasoning behind it especially in a more complex cozy mystery like this one, lol. It was lotsa fun going down the various rabbit trails and speculating, but I kept my perp in mind most of the time from one point fairly early on. I didn’t guess who wrote the note in Rocco’s locker though.

While this series doesn’t have the laugh out loud hilarious moments that the author’s Hayley Powell series has, I still love how Maya and Sandra, different as they could be had become best friends and now professional sleuthing partners. The scenes in this series are more the cool “gotcha!” moments when they figure out clues and confront killers. Or just have a revelation in a family issue. Can’t wait to see what these two soon-to-be empty nesters come up with for their next adventure!

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 Limited Edition Murder review

Tari Hann

This is the tenth book in the Beyond the Page Mysteries by Lauren Elliott, and this time Addie’s in England still with her sweet pup Pippi. She’d made a bunch of new friends, and they all enjoyed hanging out together at the local pub. It sounded like a really cool little town! I just love the cover! 

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My Goodreads review:

A Limited Edition Murder by Lauren Elliott

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I’ve heard of people nursing their wounds for a long time but Addie must’ve held the record for it, lol. She did have a traumatic experience in the previous book, and some people heal differently so it’s totally possible. I guess since she’s just never been a favorite main character of mine and always seemed a little immature or sometimes unfair to others, maybe I don’t cut her enough slack or something. But it seemed like a long time and kinda hiding from reality. I’m glad she took Pippi the pup with her—that sweet dog could cheer anyone up.

But Addie was a fiercely loyal friend as it turned out and as we all know from previous books. I liked her new friends but I really missed Paige, Katherine and Serena. One character Addie always compared to Mrs. Danvers actually became a good ally for her sleuthing toward the end. I was never really sure whodunit so I just kept reading and hoped eventually Addie might decide she needed her people at home. You’ll have to read and see if she stays in England or returns to Greyborne Harbor. 😉

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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