Tag: kensington cozies

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!

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #LynnCahoon

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.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #LeeHollis

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! 

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #Lauren Elliott

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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A Pose Before Dying review

Tari Hann

This is the first book in the brand new Cat Yoga Mysteries (non-affiliate Amazon link there because GR doesn’t have it set up for a series yet) by Alex Erickson, a fellow Ohioan and author of the long-running Bookstore Café Mysteries and the short but fun series,  Furever Pets Mysteries. This series starts with some good, strong characters and some adorable kittens as well. Sierra was an awesome bestie who worked at Snoots. And just how fun is the name of their friendly, Cheers-like hangout, Snoot’s Bar and Grill? I love it!

I really enjoyed this book a lot and can’t wait till the next one comes out. How fun to do yoga with virtual cats (real ones I’d just sneeze and get all itchy with even though I love kitties!). And for the record, I’d probably be better with chair yoga due to one bad knee and one fake one, lol.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #AlexErickson

My Goodreads review:

A Pose Before DyingA Pose Before Dying by Alex Erickson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a fun new idea for a series! I’d definitely prefer cats in the yoga studio over goats which I’ve read about in other cozies. I enjoyed meeting these new characters and by the end I felt like I was definitely getting acquainted and even had some favorites by then.

Edna and Pavan were apartment neighbors to Ash and made me chuckle at how they were always encouraging Ash’s currently non-existent love life. But Ash loved her yoga studio job a lot along owning a business, so maybe it’s best for her to think about growing her new business. It’d be much easier without a pesky murder she was insanely curious to solve not to mention clear her brother’s name.

There was a character I suspected for most of the book because of some well-placed early clues, but I still enjoyed the rabbit hole experience of considering various suspects/motives. The showdown was pretty cool letting Ash use some of her yoga abilities for defense/protect moves. Actually her loyalty to her siblings was overall awesome anyway, so of course she’d defend one of said siblings. After finding out something at the end of this book, I absolutely can’t wait for the next one. And thinking about what’s gonna happen when someone else finds out what was announced then makes me laugh about the possibilities.

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Death by Chocolate Raspberry Scone review

Tari Hann

This is the seventh book in the super fun Death by Chocolate Mysteries by Sarah Graves. To me, this one was the most excitement Jake and Ellie ever had. The books always start with some type adventure where they escape from being found out by the skin of their teeth. There were just a lot more times in this book, lol.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #SarahGraves

My Goodreads review:

Death by Chocolate Raspberry Scone (Death by Chocolate Mystery, #7)Death by Chocolate Raspberry Scone by Sarah Graves
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This has got to be Jake and Ellie’s most epic adventure ever! One word: shark. You can use your imagination or better yet, grab this book and read all about it. To me, this is the most exciting installment of this series. I absolutely enjoyed every single minute and couldn’t read fast enough in some places. It just played out like a non-stop adventure, comedy movie that was cozy mystery based. Kinda like Jaws if it was a comedy and not gory, lol.

And knowing it was such a twisting, turning plot with several characters caught in crime, I really appreciated the extensive explanation at the end over my fave thing of food, family, friends and fellowship. I enjoyed the addition of two new characters a lot too. New police chief Lizzie was an absolute hoot! I know she’ll be around for future books, but I hope her boyfriend stays too. They both went above and beyond protecting and serving, so I hope Dylan sticks around as well. Those two kinda complete each other, like Castle and Beckett (if Castle was a cop 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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A Twinkle of Trouble review

Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in the Fairy Garden Mysteries (this is a non-affiliate Amazon link because GR doesn’t have the fifth book listed as part of the series) by Daryl Wood Gerber, and like the others before it, it was so much fun! Fiona really got her chance to shine while she mentored her younger sister. It was just too cute, and the mystery was a good one, of course.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #DarylWoodGerber

My Goodreads review:

A Twinkle of Trouble (A Fairy Garden Mystery Book 5)A Twinkle of Trouble by Daryl Wood Gerber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was happy that Fiona’s time away was spent off-story because I sure would’ve missed her a lot too, she always cracks me up! I wasn’t sure what to think about her sister at first and wondered if she was planning to get Fiona in trouble with the fairy queen or something. But Eveleen was just being a crazy little younger sister. With so many twists and secrets people had, I was never really sure of whodunit, so I just went along for the ride and let Courtney take the wheel.

That was some wild showdown worthy of a tennis match and was just another reason why I love Fiona’s character so much! Some main characters have dogs or cats that help but who else can say they’ve got a fairy running defense on their side, right? The food, fellowship, fairies and fun party at the end was awesome. It was somewhat bittersweet for Fiona, but as a mentor she knew it’d been coming. Now I’d just love for Brady to finally see the sweet fairy that lives at Hideaway Café, maybe 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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Patchwork Quilt Murder review

Tari Hann

This is the thirtieth book in the very long-running Lucy Stone Mysteries by Leslie Meier. Can you believe it’s been around since 1993? Miss Tilley has to be at least 110 or more if she was in her 80s when it started, lol. She’s from strong New England stock so it’s not surprising, right?

Some parts of the book were a little bit sad, but I’m not gonna tell why. You’ll have to read that yourself. I’m not sure if it’s just me, but the ending almost read like this could be the last book. If anyone’s heard differently, I’d love to know. I know it’s not too unusual for one of these books to span several months.

My Goodreads review:

Patchwork Quilt Murder (A Lucy Stone Mystery, #30)Patchwork Quilt Murder by Leslie Meier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a very twisty, winding case with a bizarre outcome, meaning bizarre for happening in a cozy mystery. But with Lucy on the case as a writer, no criminal’s ever gonna get away, especially when she teams up with the police for an epic sting operation. That was my favorite part! I definitely hadn’t guessed who the killer was, but they were definitely getting sent away for a long time. Lucy, you go, girl! The side story about Pam and Ted’s son was heartbreaking in some ways but did have a happy conclusion.

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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Three Fudges and a Baby review

Tari Hann

This is the twelfth book in the Candy-Coated Mysteries by Nancy CoCo and I was happy to see that it’s finally leading to what I’ve hoped would happen since the first book, which is gonna be in the next book. This and another cozy series inspired my love of Mackinac Island and a visit there in 2018.

Meanwhile, besties usually get married and have their babies before main characters, so that’s what Jenn was gearing up for in this installment, a baby. And Allie was juggling about a million things including an unexpected visit from her mom and Allie’s old high school boyfriend along with trying to prove Jenn’s doula’s innocence. Never a dull day at the McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop! 

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #NancyCoco

My Goodreads review:

 Three Fudges and a Baby (Candy-Coated, #12)Three Fudges and a Baby by Nancy CoCo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This has to be one of Allie’s craziest cases yet but hey, at least she didn’t end up stuck in a tunnel or a basement far but near, lol. I actually figured out the killer fairly early on and stuck with my guess while still enjoying the red herrings presented. Glad I stuck by my first choice because I was right. I liked the short and effective showdown, and to yay Allie for getting the evidence she needed as well. After twelve books, she’s getting really good at that!

I absolutely love what happened with Allie and Rex! They’ve been through so much in this series and it really came as no surprise. Carol and her senior book club ladies helped out again, but I believe Carol was happy to stay on the researching end instead of the action end! I always love how there’s a preview chapter for the next book included at the end, so of course I always devour that. I can’t wait for the next book now!

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 Witless Protection Program review

Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in the Catering Hall Mysteries by Maria DiRico, better known as Ellen Byron to cozy mystery fans. I’ve absolutely loved every book in this series so far. They’re fun, hilarious and sometimes even cause a little eye leakage, mostly the happy kind like you might get when reading this book.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #MariaDiRico #EllenByron

My Goodreads review:

The Witless Protection Program (A Catering Hall Mystery)The Witless Protection Program by Maria DiRico
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really loved this installment! It was kinda the pulling together of everything and a sorta reunion of some of the past characters Mia had met up with. Something just made me think it’s sounding like it’s the end of the series but I haven’t heard anything official. If it’s the end, everyone went out with a great ending well, maybe not everyone but the key players all seemed happy.

And only Mia Carina could have all this craziness happen before and even at her wedding, lol. Tons of fun, suspense and even more hilarity to be had, so definitely don’t miss out on this book. I totally recommend reading the series from the start to get the complete character experience.

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 Unfiltered review

Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the really fun Ground Rules Mysteries by Emmaline Duncan. I’ve enjoyed this series since the first book and hope there’ll be more to enjoy. It did end with a little question of maybe what we can expect in the next book. The main mystery/murder’s always solved in this series though.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #EmmalineDuncan

My Goodreads review:

Death Unfiltered (A Ground Rules Mystery #4)Death Unfiltered by Emmeline Duncan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It was great catching up with Sage, her family and friends in this new installment. She finally had the actual shop she’d always wanted but one of the shop neighbors was a royal pain. I remembered her all too well from when Sage was set up at the music festival and couldn’t help being glad about what happened with her.

Sage’s had surprises along the line but nothing like the one that came at the showdown. I kinda hope things work out in that regard, then the very ending led to what I hope is gonna be the next book’s partial theme at least. I’m always eager to read the next in this 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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