minotaur books – Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

Vows and Villainy review

November 25, 2025November 25, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in The Cambridge Bookshop mysteries by Elizabeth Penney, and I’ve enjoyed every book since its beginning. And after the awesome ending, I can’t wait for the next book now! It was great how everyone worked together to find the perp in this book, but well, Molly always kinda ends up in the killer’s crosshairs. But no worries, she lived to sleuth another day.

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My Goodreads review

Vows and Villainy: The Cambridge Bookshop Series by Elizabeth Penney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It was good to get back to Cambridge and visit with Molly and her family and friends. She and Kieran had been growing closer and closer as each book progressed, and I wasn’t disappointed with this book either! The mystery was a good one with an exciting showdown. I loved what happened to the perp—served them right, lol. After what happened right before the wedding, I’m eager for the next book in the series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by St. Martin/Minotaur, and my opinions are my own.

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At Death’s Dough review

October 30, 2025October 30, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in the Deep Dish Mysteries by Mindy Quigley, another fun series I’ve enjoyed since its beginning. It’s always fun to see what Delilah and her team along with her sweetie Colton get into.

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My Goodreads review:

At Death’s Dough: A Deep Dish Mystery by Mindy Quigley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another awesome story with Delilah and all her friends. She’s definitely not your typical main character in a cozy since she’s pretty much a control freak with a temper when pushed. But Delilah’s a fiercely loyal friend and her heart’s usually in the right place. Except Calvin Capone wished it wasn’t in his investigations, lol.

When Calvin had to sit out the current murder case, there was a lot more going on at the station regarding the police chief whose control-freakness made Delilah’s look mild. His ex did something at the end to get back at him that was actually pretty funny. Delilah had gotten in the crosshairs of another killer and made a narrow escape. I’m pretty sure all involved were glad to call this crazy case closed!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by St. Martin/Minotaur Books via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

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Death at the Door review

October 21, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Ruby and Cordelia Mysteries series by Olivia Blacke, and this one was just as good maybe even better than the first one. I just wish someday Ruby could be able to actually see and hear Cordelia, but somehow they make communicating work out the best they can. Cordelia’s brother Ian visiting kinda opened a can of worms, and now I can’t wait for the next book!

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My Goodreads review:

Death at the Door by Olivia Blacke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I just love this unlikely pair of friends, Cordelia, a ghost who’s old enough to be Ruby’s mom and Ruby, a girl of twenty who’s just trying to make her living in the city and learning adulting the hard way. Cordelia’s younger brother made an appearance and might’ve accidentally stumbled on a way for Ruby to see her ghostly roommate, so now I can’t wait for the next book.

The murder mystery was a good one, and the two friends worked to figure out the killer with Cordelia working her ghostly magic to help others be able to know who the killer was as well. I loved the stuff she could do to people she didn’t like, like frying their phones or computers. Luckily Cordelia didn’t need to do that too often. After the scene with Ian at the end, I can’t wait to see what happens next.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Sr. Martin/Minotaur via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

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Laying Down the Latte review

August 27, 2025August 27, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the 21st book in the long-running Bakeshop Mysteries by Ellie Alexander, and it’s definitely a good one featuring a trip to Costa Rica that Jules and Carlos wanted to make sure Andy got to go on with them. Poor guy had no idea what was in store, but neither did they as murder and mayhem was afoot.

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My Goodreads review:

Laying Down the Latte by Ellie Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It was fun reading about Jules, Carlos and Andy being in Costa Rica and even cooler when I read Ellie Alexander’s newsletter the same day telling how she’d gone there last year. I figured she must’ve been there at some point since the coffee facts and everything was described like someone who’d actually seen all this firsthand. Obviously except for the murder, lol.

Jules found herself investigating a murder even while on vacation and getting a little help/encouragement from back home from her mom and Lance. Lance was a hoot without even being there while he was energetically searching for a wedding venue for him and Arlo, and bouncing ideas off Jules probably the same way he was bouncing on caffeine.

My final guess for the killer was right (after a couple fails and my suspects didn’t pan out), and it was awesome what Jules did to said killer. The ending was filled with food and fellowship as everyone was now at home celebrated Andy’s trip to Costa Rica with Jules and Carlos and their safe return. Can’t wait to see what happens next!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by St. Martin/Minotaur Books via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

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Doggone Bones review

May 26, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the 29th book in the Sarah Booth Delaney Mysteries by Carolyn Haines. I haven’t actually read this series from the entire beginning, but I did read the first two books and at least can appreciate a little of how the characters changed. I’ve been blessed enough to be able to get ARCs of the last maybe five or six books so at least I know what’s currently going on in Sarah Booth’s life, lol.

I love how dogs play such a huge part in her life, so this is one book where you get to cheer on the doggos and they win! And not to downplay Pluto, he’s a great watch cat! And that silly, wise Jitty, I just love her character and how she’s a good constant for Sarah Booth. She appears as just the person Sarah Booth needs her to. But sometimes having her just being Jitty’s what Sarah Booth needs most.

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My Goodreads review:

Doggone Bones by Carolyn Haines
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I had no idea that Sarah Booth’s friend Tinkie could be such a bada$$ but she was a regular hero at times in this book. The story grabbed me from the start and wouldn’t let go until I found out the good ending for some poor sweet doggos that were being used for fighting. And to think it all started with one little dog being taken. There was a lotta other things going on in this book as well.

Some involved definitely got their just desserts but another item left unsolved really bothered me a lot since it directly affected Sarah Booth and her friends. I absolutely can’t wait for the next book so some uncleared-up scum can be properly taken care of! 😉

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by St. Martin/Minotaur Books via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

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Bait and Swiss review

April 28, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the sixth book in the Cheese Shop Mysteries by Korina Moss, and I’ve enjoyed this series as well from the beginning. Willa and her crew couldn’t really enjoy the shop’s second birthday because of the murder that happened at the newspaper office. Not to mention her ex-fiance and his girlfriend were opening a pop-up in her friend Hope’s Cakery. A feud ready to happen? Catch this latest release tomorrow, April 29 and see!

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My Goodreads review:

Bait and Swiss by Korina Moss
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Willa’s team at the cheese shop and her sleuthing buddies are like visiting old friends now. Her protégé Archie’s grown and changed so much since the first book, and now they had not one but two new employees. I remembered June from the last book and how she’d hit it off well with Archie at the dairy festival.

Willa’s worst nightmare came true when the pop-up shop going in with Hope’s Cakery was her ex-fiancé and his girlfriend, so poor Willa had a ton on her emotional plate including being a person of interest in the murder case. She and her sometimes-buddy AJ from the paper did their own sleuthing. He cracked me up going under cover dressed like some 1940s detective, lol. Willa said the same thing I was thinking: he’s gonna attract more attention that way.

After a tense and crazy showdown at Hope’s Cakery, the perp was going away for a long time and peace reigned in Yarrow Glen once more. Willa and her friends celebrated my favorite way with food and fellowship. And Willa had a special moment with her detective who finally wanted to give their relationship an official label. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by St. Martin/Minotaur books via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

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Dead Post Society review

April 1, 2025April 1, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the seventh book in the House-Flippers Mysteries by Diane Kelly which I’ve loved ever since I started reading it at book 1. This one was especially cool since Buck and Whitney were working for his dad on a huge project. Buck was a new daddy himself and it seemed kinda unspoken they wouldn’t do any house flipping until the baby was a little older. But this job led to an amazing house they decided to buy and flip. Don’t miss this one, especially if you’ve followed the series from the beginning!

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My Goodreads review:

Dead Post Society by Diane Kelly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This might be my favorite of the books so far, but I might’ve said that about others as well lol. While working for Buck’s dad on a huge project, Whitney stumbled onto their next flip project which sounded pretty amazing from the descriptions. It was easy to picture how it might’ve looked once renovated.

The downside was the murder-suicide that happened there, but Whitney wasn’t really convinced that was the case and started digging. And for anyone who’s followed this series since book 1, we know where that gets her sometimes. Usually in the crosshairs of a killer, but she had a little help this time plus the fact she’s a contractor. They have all sorts of stuff up their sleeves, so this perp never knew what hit them. Little Sawdust kitty might’ve had a paw in it as well!

I loved the wrap-up and ending and now I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Whitney and everyone!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by St. Martin/Minotaur Books via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

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The Library Game review

March 18, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the Secret Staircase Mysteries that I’ve had the pleasure of reading and enjoying as ARCs from the get-go, and this book definitely didn’t disappoint at all. The author, Gigi Pandian had such a sweet article in her latest newsletter about how the series came to be and how she made Grandpa Ash’s character be modeled after her own dad. The picture of them together was just too adorable!

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My Goodreads review:

The Library Game by Gigi Pandian
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Tempest and her friends/family are like old friend to me by now since I’ve read this series from the beginning. I’ve enjoyed the character developments and relationships growing. Poor Sanjay, he’s such a hoot normally but he was a worried man this time since he was a suspect. The showdown was tense and I really loved what someone did to the perp! The outcome was a satisfying one, and as all the friends were taking another friend to the airport, I can only wonder what the next book might bring!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Minotaur Books via NetGalley and my opinions are my own.

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Star-Crossed Egg Tarts review

January 21, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the second in this enjoyable newer Magical Fortune Cookie series by Jennifer J. Chow and I liked it just as well as, and maybe even more than the first since something super sweet happened at the end. And as always, Whiskers, Felicity’s pet magical bunny was adorable and helpful. Can’t wait to see what the next book brings!

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My Goodreads review:

Star-Crossed Egg Tarts by Jennifer J. Chow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoy these key characters and had a great time sleuthing along with Felicity and Kelvin as they worked to figure out who was framing him for murder. He definitely hadn’t signed up for that when he agreed to be a substitute groomsman.

The showdown with Felicity and the killer was a good one and I loved how Felicity got the upper hand. Something super sweet happened for her at the end and now I can’t wait to see what happens next.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by St. Martin/Minotaur Books via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

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Madrigals and Mayhem review

November 30, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the Cambridge Bookshop Mysteries by Elizabeth Penney. I’ve enjoyed this series from its start and actually I like anything I’ve read by this author. She’s just got a really nice way with her characters and situations that keep me coming back for more in this series. Christmas in Cambridge with Molly and the crew was pretty cool and magical picturing how the town looked decked out in Christmas decorations. I can’t wait for the next book!

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My Goodreads review:

Madrigals and Mayhem by Elizabeth Penney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really liked new business owner Charlotte’s character a lot. She seemed to blend right in with Molly and Daisy as far as being friends went. Molly set out to prove Charlotte’s grandfather might’ve not had a natural death and one thing she did was join a local play, with Kieran of course, so she could be closer to what she believed was the source of some trouble. What happened during the play was absolutely hilarious at one point!

Once everything was solved and a super satisfying outcome occurred, Molly and her loved ones could celebrate an amazing Christmas together. With the two people having special announcements in this story, I really can’t wait to see what happens in the next book!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by St. Martin/Minotaur via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

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