new friends – Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

Tea with Jam and Dread review

July 30, 2025 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 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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Murder Most Owl review

April 2, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the first in an awesome new series, Magical Menagerie Mysteries by another cozy fave author, Sarah Fox who cozy fans know from her Pancake House Mysteries and the Literary Pub Mysteries. I really enjoyed these characters and the critters as well and eagerly look forward to the next book!

#NetGalley #SevernHouse #SarahFox

My Goodreads review:

Murder Most Owl by Sarah Fox
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was absolutely so good! I didn’t want it to end and loved how everything even the small side mysteries were nicely wrapped up and explained. I really love the dynamics that developed between Georgie and her new love interest. Olivia was an awesome character too, as I’ve found all the characters I’ve read in this author’s various series.

I loved the idea of the animals having special talents rather than the other way around. It was a fun change from the usual witch and talking familiars. Those dogs were just amazing and so lovable. I do love cats but having the dogs being the magical ones was extra fun. I’m not a fan of birds in general, but Euclid was a pretty awesome owl, and I’d sure never turn down his help in ditching bad people lol. I can’t wait for another book in this series! I sure hope the author and publisher have one or more planned!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Severn House via NetGalley , and my opinions are my own.

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A Suspicious Breed review

February 19, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the sixth book in the Low Country Dog Walker Mysteries by Jackie Layton, and I’ve absolutely loved each book in this series. Books could work as standalones, but it’s more fun to start at the beginning and watch the various relationships and families grow. Hoping there’ll be more to come!

#NetGalley #BeyondthePage #JackieLayton

My Goodreads review:

A Suspicious Breed by Jackie Layton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve absolutely loved this entire series and hope there’ll be more adventures for Andi, Marc and all their friends and extended family. Ike was such an awesome addition back when he was added, and he got to do a little sleuthing this time. Some new family members and friends joined the flock this time and it was super su-weet, as Marc would say.

Andi had her plate full before she and her bestie had their double wedding to the loves of their lives. I was especially eager to see the rotten perp or perps brought to justice after the murder and a scheme cheating money from donors that helped dogs in need. Some awesome sleuthing followed by a quick but tense showdown, then life was back to the two weddings.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Beyond the Page via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

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The Last Word review

February 12, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the first book in a brand new series called Deadly Deadlines Mysteries by Gerri Lewis. Unfortunately, there’s no series page for it on GR yet, but maybe when a second book comes, hopefully one of the librarians might make one.

From what I saw on her website, I’m guessing the author’s new to writing cozies, but she’s definitely got the idea of one right. If you check out Gerri Lewis’s website about page, you’ll see a fun little obit she wrote about herself which told me a lot about her writing career. I knew she was definitely not a newbie writer. I really enjoyed this and look forward to another book! I loved the chemistry among all the key players and the characterization was super well done. Diva the puppy was absolutely adorable and Max the shepherd was pretty awesome as well.

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #GerriLewis

My Goodreads review:

The Last Word by Gerri Lewis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow what a multi-layer mystery and so many suspenseful parts I couldn’t read fast enough! I had someone pegged from almost the start as either a killer or just up to no good and I was right about them, but with other layers of the mystery, another thing completely surprised me.

That sweet little dog Diva seemed to have broken through even a non-dog person’s heart and even another dog that was eventually needing a home turned out to be an awesome pup. I really loved Uncle Richard’s and Scoop’s characters a lot! Richard was so giving and wanted to take care of everyone with comforting food, and Scoop was just an awesome friend. I can’t wait to see if he and a certain girl stay together just like I’m eager for Kip and Winter to be together.

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

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Steeped in Secrets review

November 25, 2022November 25, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the first in a new series by Lauren Elliott called Crystals and CuriosiTEAS Mysteries. I knew I’d enjoy it since I’ve read all her Beyond the Pages mysteries to date and really liked those a lot as well as the characters. The new series definitely didn’t disappoint! I can’t wait to see what’s in store for book two!

#KensingtonCozies #LaurenElliott

My Goodreads review:

Steeped in Secrets by Lauren Elliott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this a lot more than I first thought I would when I started reading it, but the characters just came to life and drew me in! I liked Shay’s character a lot and her backstory was interesting–and about to become even more interesting. It was cool how she and Tassi became friends despite their age difference, but as they were to find out, they had quite a bit in common. Jen was a good big sister but sometimes seemed a touch unreasonable even though she meant well.

I was never really sure whodunit and what a good twist at the end along with a kickin’ showdown followed by a full explanation and wrap-up. I just love that dog Spirit and I’m so happy he’s got Shay to live with now. He was super in tune to clues and what he knew he wanted people to do to find answers.

When the book was ending, I just didn’t want it to. I wanted to stay there and read more about the town and people, especially Shay and Liam. I was extremely happy about one thing in particular that happened after the showdown, and now I can’t wait to go back and visit with Shay and all her friends again. Don’t miss this new series especially if you like a little magic (there’s not a bunch of woo-woo stuff going on if you’re worried about that, give it a chance) with your cozy mystery. It releases Tuesday, November 29, 2022.

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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Seams Like Murder review

September 26, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the first book in a new series called the Sewing Studio Mysteries by Dorothy Howell who writes another cozy mystery, the Haley Randolph Mysteries. I really liked these characters and can’t wait to see what Abbey, her aunt and her new friends get into in the next book. I had a feeling when I saw that sewing was involved in this book that I’d really take to it. It was definitely lotsa fun!

#KensingtonCozies #DorothyHowell

My Goodreads review:

Seams Like Murder by Dorothy Howell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

On one hand, coming home to having your car accused of being used in a possible homicide was pretty awful for Abbey, but the possible friendship with Zack the handsome deputy would’ve been the saving grace, at least for me. But Abbey couldn’t bring herself to be even halfway nice to him until it was well into the book and he’d done what he could to prove to her he didn’t think she killed anyone. Poor guy having to work for that grumpy sheriff though! He was a piece o’ work for sure!

I loved how Abbey and Caitlin were able to resume the bestie friendship they’d only enjoyed for summers and how the rest of the businesses kinda pitched in to help with the investigation. Everyone had the interest of getting a killer off the streets once they started believing said killer wasn’t Abbey. There were enough cars in town that looked similar to hers it could’ve been anyone driving the car that killed the librarian. I know one person I was hoping might be the perp, but there were lots of good distractions and other possibilities too.

The showdown was pretty epic and as a seamstress I can totally laugh and say yep, that’s just what a bunch of people who sew or craft (or want a killer off the streets) might do with a wily killer! I loved how an embroidery machine was included in the story too probably because I really like using mine and it’s just fun to find something I can actually relate to in a book. This book releases tomorrow, September 27, don’t miss it! It’s pretty much everything I could want in a cozy mystery.

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 Time for Murder Is Meow review

June 10, 2021 Tari Hann

If you follow the author T.C. LoTempio aka Toni, you’ll already know that this book is technically the same book that came out two years ago in August. But the difference is a new publisher which will allow her to continue the series now. And I love this cover soooo much more than the old one! The artist did an amazing job of catching the personality of the little pet supply store Shell inherited. The series name has also been changed to Urban Tails Pet Shop Mysteries. And I enjoyed the story even more the second time around (yes, I’d actually forgotten whodunit, but remembered at about the same spot where I started suspecting the first time!)

My Goodreads review:

The Time for Murder Is Meow by T. C. LoTempio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a fun town and group of characters! I was expecting not to like Gary much, and while it did take a while to warm up to him, I think he and Shell really have some good sleuthing vibes going on–naturally, since they acted together on a show. But I was happy she didn’t hide her feelings about Josh, and I’m pretty sure the feelings were mutual from the beginning.

There was a fairly early clue that set me on the trail of who the killer was, but it was a lot of fun to read as Shel and her three new friends from town along with her former co-star Gary all sleuthed together. If Gary hangs around town now that the case is solved, I can see a lot of fun possibilities for Shell sleuthing with him…and I think it would be cute if he got together with Olivia. But only the next book can tell us all that, and I’m definitely anxious to read it!

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