Minotaur Books/St. Martin’s Press – Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

All My Bones review

December 2, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Old Juniper Bookstore Mysteries by P.J. Nelson, and I like this book as much maybe more than I did last year’s first installment. I really enjoy the setting of a bookstore being in an old Victorian house and loved Madeline’s comment that only she was allowed to refer to it as something the Addams Family would live in, lol!

#NetGalley #MinotaurBooks #PJNelson

My Goodreads review:

All My Bones (An Old Juniper Bookshop Mystery, #2)

All My Bones by P.J. Nelson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read the first book last year when it came out and really enjoyed meeting Maddy and her good friend Phil aka Philomena. Their sense of humor still cracked me up in this book. I liked that David and Maddy were getting closer. Maddy isn’t a character I’d say I’m crazy about, but her supporting players David, Jennifer and Phil are ones I’d love to meet or be friends with. Madeline’s okay but she takes some getting used to. I just feel like I know and like the B players much better.

I enjoyed the planned showdown with a killer and how they were caught. The teamwork put in definitely paid off when the killer of the skeleton dug up at the bookstore was hauled away.

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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Claws Out review

August 26, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the ninth book in the very sweet Cat Cafe Mysteries by Cate Conte also known as Liz Mugavero of the Pawsitively Organic Mysteries. Maddie James is an awesome main character and I just love her Grandpa Leo! As a former police detective, he’s always in the thick of things when there’s a murder to be solved, at home or away as we find our Daybreak Harbor pals at an event in Provincetown.

#NetGalley #CateConte #St. Martin #MinotaurBooks

My Goodreads review:

Claws Out: A Cat Cafe Mystery by Cate Conte
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I just love Grandpa Leo’s character—he’s probably been my fave throughout the series, and this book was definitely no exception. He was probably in his police glory helping local police when one of the cat literary event authors was murdered. Plenty of people loved the author, but there were some that would’ve had a good motive to want her gone.

The planned showdown that Grandpa orchestrated using Maddie’s suggestion was great and got the results they hoped for. Now to take care of a family-sized surprise!

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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Booked for Murder by P.J. Nelson review

December 16, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the first book in a brand new series by a new to me cozy author, P.J. Nelson and I sure hope another one is gonna follow! I was a tiny bit gun shy when I’d read some not-so-nice reviews on Goodreads about it, but I really try not to let those kinds of reviews sway my thinking while I read. Well, I didn’t need any help or hindrance because I liked this book a lot all on my own. It’s hard to believe some people were talking about the same book, lol.

Either way, I enjoyed the characters and the unlikely but quirky friend group with main character Madeline, her aunt’s bestie Phil (Philomena) and a crazy, fun lady pastor who’s probably gonna end up as Maddy-girl’s new bestie. Gloria was an awesome friend but she had the pastor skills down pat and could give some of the world’s best advice. And Madeline wasn’t some airhead who blindly interviewed suspects without backup. She only went twice alone, but she’s the gutsy type who really made me think of Kate Beckett on Castle. Even if Kate wasn’t a detective, she totally would’ve done what Madeline did. But all reviews have a place in the world, and I always go with the tired but true old saying of ‘to each his own.’

#NetGalley #MinotaurBooks #PJNelson

My Goodreads review:

Booked for Murder by P. J. Nelson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Madeline was definitely a different kind of main character, gutsy and brave but then she’d been an actress for quite a few years so she was used to all sorts of situations which might’ve gotten her ready for stuff she’d encounter in real life. I felt the characters were tons of fun, especially Madeline’s wicked sense of humor.

Gloria, her new pastor friend cracked me up at how cool and upbeat she was. I mean who wouldn’t love a friend like her who’s also an ordained Episcopal priest and was capable of other types of guidance as well as just being good bestie material. Phil (aka Philomena) was a really interesting character and had been Aunt Rose’s longtime friend, so she was like another aunt to Madeline. There was lotsa drama and mystery but some good humorous parts too ending up with an epic showdown with the killer. I’m really looking forward to the next book!

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

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A New Lease on Death review

October 29, 2024October 29, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the first book in a brand new paranormal cozy by Olivia Blacke whose Record Shop series I’ve enjoyed. The new series is called Supernatural Mysteries and I look forward to lots more adventures with Ruby and Cordelia. Those two crack me up and make for one of the best ghost/human friendships I’ve read about so far. Can’t wait for the next book!

My Goodreads review:

A New Lease on Death by Olivia Blacke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Oh my gosh, this was so much fun! A ghost woman who died at around forty years old and a human girl of twenty couldn’t’ve been more unlikely friends let alone sleuthing buddies, but Ruby and Cordelia made it work.

I loved these two characters and really got a kick outta Cordelia and some of her comments she made even though she knew Ruby couldn’t hear her. I enjoyed how the chapters took turns being first person told by one of the two main characters. It was easy to keep track of who was telling since the chapters were labeled either Ruby or Cordelia.

I absolutely can’t wait to read the next book because of how this one ended. No worries though, the current murder was wrapped up nice and neat but there’s always been a question in my mind and Ruby addressed that. We’ll have 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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Public Anchovy #1 review

December 28, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Deep Dish Mysteries by Mindy Quigley and just as I was leaving the review on Amazon, I noticed a fourth book’s coming in October 2024, yay! This book was just the right level of creepiness that you can expect in an old mansion where the power went out and a storm was raging outside. Not to mention a murder or two…

#NetGalley #St.MartinPaperbacks #MindyQuigley

My Goodreads review:

Public Anchovy #1 by Mindy Quigley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This mystery mirrored the noir films Dee’s pal Sonya liked so much and what a better setting too, a spooky old house, a storm—the perfect proverbial “dark and stormy night”. Add in the murders and it was movie-worthy. Oh yeah and various other unsettling things that happened along the way. Pretty sure I would’ve just curled up in a corner and told them to tell me when it was over, lol.

The showdown was pretty awesome and Dee was actually glad her cat ended up there. Who’s a good boy, Butterball? High paw! I really loved the ending and hope there’ll be more books in the series.

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

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Snow Place for Murder review

October 24, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Mountain Lodge Mysteries by Diane Kelly, one of my fave cozy authors who writes a few other cozy series as well. I’ve currently enjoyed her House-Flipper and Southern Homebrew mystery series having read all three of these series from their first books. I love the characters in this book and how well Misty’s team at the lodge works together. Yeti the diva Persian cat even gets her own short chapters once in a while.

#NetGalley #St.MartinsPaperbacks @MinotaurPress #DianeKelly

My Goodreads review:

Snow Place for Murder by Diane Kelly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was an awesome trip to Mountain Lodge just in time for Thanksgiving, but the story lasted through Christmas and New Year’s as well. Just when you think the mystery’s never gonna be solved, Misty does it again! It’s no wonder Deputy Highcloud values her input so much—I really like that deputy! She never downplays whatever information Misty relays to her.

It was fun to have Misty’s sons JJ and Mitch there working since Brynn was on vacation. They had a pal to hang out with on the slopes since Rocky’s youngest daughter came after her finals too. I sure wouldn’t’ve guessed whodunit, but Misty probably never thought something in her mail would help her solve the case. At a fairly remorseful showdown, everything was revealed about the murder and wrapped up nicely. And that left Rocky, Misty and their families free to enjoy the next two holidays.

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

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Catch Me If You Candy review

August 23, 2023August 23, 2023 Tari Hann

This is book 17 in the long-running Bakeshop Mysteries by Ellie Alexander who also writes the Sloan Krause Mysteries. Bakeshop Mysteries are set in Ashland, a place she’s very familiar with as you might know if you happen to get the author’s newsletter. She’s also written the Pacific Northwest Mysteries and Rose City Mysteries as Kate Dyer-Seeley. With this author, you’re always guaranteed some great characters and fast friendships as well as a compelling mystery and adventure!

#NetGalley #MinotaurBooks #EllieAlexander

My Goodreads review:

Catch Me If You Candy by Ellie Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I hadn’t read in this series for a really long time, but it didn’t take me long to catch back up. The author has a really nice way of catching readers up without spoiling anything (like the whodunit) from past books. This was an extra cool time of year to be in Ashland for all the Halloween festivities, but it wasn’t cool for the poor guy who got killed. Of course, Lance was all for sleuthing again with his buddy Jules, so she went along with it since she’s curious like that anyway.

I hadn’t guessed whodunit until the clues started pointing that way, and the showdown was safely conducted with Jules and Carlos in their car and the police taking charge. There was a little side mystery I don’t think we’ll get an answer for until next book concerning Lance who Jules had spotted a few times visiting Richard Lord’s hotel. Then Lance was talking in almost riddles toward the end but left Jules hanging. Ok Lance, you need to tell her what you were about to tell her by the time the next book’s out, lol. This series makes me think it’d be fun to visit Ashland pretty much any time of the year!

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

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Nine Lives and Alibis review

August 22, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the seventh book in the Cat Café Mysteries by Cate Conte who writes the Full Moon Mysteries and as her alter ego, Liz Mugavero, she writes the Pawsitively Organic Mysteries as you can see from her website bio page that I linked to her name up above. Anything I’ve read by Cate/Liz is always a fun read with some great characters and cute pets. In this book, JJ the cat’s actually quite helpful when it comes to finding a missing cat. This is such a super cute series with the most adorable book covers!

#NetGalley #MinotaurBooks #CateConte

My Goodreads review:

Nine Lives and Alibis: A Cat Cafe Mystery by Cate Conte
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It’d been way too long since I read in this series and even though I’m not totally caught up with the rest of the series, I couldn’t resist requesting this from NetGalley. I quickly remembered who was who and didn’t feel lost. Maddie’s grandpa’s still my fave character and that little JJ couldn’t be cuter! Check out his Sherlock Holmes outfit on the book cover, isn’t that sweet?

This twisty mystery was filled with secret passageways, an old haunted inn, red herrings and as always, some great characters. It’s a shame the guy who was killed was such a nice person. I’d really come to like his character, but from the blurb I knew not to get too close! 😉 Not only was the current murder solved, but a couple cold cases got answers as well and all took place with a very cool Halloween season event and even a cat costume parade. The showdown was exciting and the most unlikely person saved the day with a kick butt move.

I really loved how Violet and Sydney from the author’s newer Full Moon Mysteries came as vendors for the Halloween event, and Maddie actually liked Violet—she usually wasn’t into paranormal and crystals and stuff. But when she discovered what a crystal could do for her, maybe to her sister Sam’s delight she’d be open to even more. Naw, probably not, lol. If Full Moon would ever happen not to continue, I’d love to see more visits from Violet and Syd!

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

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