Tag: professional sleuths

A Death in the Dark review

Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Novel Detectives Mysteries, a fun spin-off from the Secret Bookcase Mysteries by well-known cozy mystery author, Ellie Alexander. I also love her Bakeshop Mysteries and the redone Pacific Northwest Mysteries she previously wrote as Kate Dyer-Seeley. Those are now known as Meg Reed Investigates, and who could forget the Sloane Krause Mysteries? 

While it’s not that necessary to’ve read the Secret Bookcase series before the Novel Detectives, I highly recommend it to get to know all the awesome characters in Redwood Grove. 

#NetGalley #EllieAlexander #St.MartinPaperbacks #MinotaurBooks

A Death in the Dark (Novel Detectives Mystery, #2)A Death in the Dark by Ellie Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fletcher always makes me smile with his sometimes over-the-top antics either regarding Sherlock or fun spy gadgets. When a head track coach asked him and Annie to take on his case, they had to determine again if their client was actually giving them the whole story or what—most clients didn’t come to them in the shape this guy was in. Meanwhile, there was more to the high school booster club than just bake sales and car wash fundraisers and possibly something hinky going on with academics.

At one point, I thought it was (or was hoping it was) getting clearer as to which suspect killed the assistant track coach. I loved how Annie went about gathering her info, but the showdown was a bit tense until reinforcements arrived. There was a lot more going on at that school than met the eye but at the end, the parties did the right thing about it. And sweet Hal eventually got the tea party he’d always dreamed of since he’d bought the bookshop so long ago. I can’t wait for the next book, just the title seems awesome. There’s a preview at the end of this book I still need to read too…or maybe I’ll make myself wait until I can read the entire book.

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


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A Very Novel Murder review

Tari Hann

This is the first book in a new spinoff series, Novel Detectives Mysteries by Ellie Alexander. The original series was A Secret Bookcase Mystery and ran for six books, all of which I absolutely loved and devoured. I was thrilled about this spinoff especially after the last couple books hinted at a new business venture for Annie and her coworker pal Fletcher.

No worries, all our other faves are here. Hal’s still living on the estate and working in the bookshop along with three additional employees, Liam and Annie are as closer or closer than ever, and Pri’s still delivering fun snarky banter with anyone she can. She’s still with Penny who’s coming along with her renovation of the property she bought.

I imagine this series could be enjoyed without reading the other series, but I’d still recommend reading the other series for backstory and all those awesome little details you won’t find in a recap.

My Goodreads review:

 

A Very Novel Murder (Novel Detectives Mystery #1)A Very Novel Murder by Ellie Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was so glad when the author decided to spin off a new series from the Secret Bookcase which had quickly become a fave series. It unfortunately had to come to an end because the ongoing storyline was solved. I was hoping so hard she’d do another series when it came out in the last books that Annie and Fletcher were interested in running a PI agency.

Flash forward, here they are doing both jobs they love so much along with the characters we came to know and enjoy in the original series. Nothing’s really changed, just the fact that now Fletcher and Annie own the bookshop and added some employees, so their ducking out to talk to suspects was a legit thing and not just chasing down one of Dr. Caldwell’s cases.

The two detectives had one heckuva first case, and Fletcher was cracking me up with all the stuff he brought to a stakeout they did, lol. Annie came close to losing her life in a showdown with the killer, but as always something awesome happened and she lived to sleuth another day. I can’t wait to read the next book!

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


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Murder on the Class Trip review

Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Maya and Sandra Mysteries by brother/sister writing duo Lee Hollis. I’ve read all their series and really love the characters they come up with along with the sometimes downright hilarious situations said characters find themselves in. A couple of PTO moms who’re different as night and day describe our sleuths Maya and Sandra, but they’re formed an amazing friendship and work relationship as well. It’ll be interesting to see what’s in store for them next!

My Goodreads review:

Murder on the Class Trip (Maya and Sandra #3)Murder on the Class Trip by Lee Hollis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This series isn’t quite as hilariously funny as the author’s Hayley Powell series, but there were some pretty funny moments in this since a group of high school seniors were on a class trip to DC. I could just picture good ole Clancy the bus driver maneuvering around DC while Maya and Sandra had him chasing down a wayward student. Can you just see him if the kids had talked him into stalking the red hot light at the famous donut place for them? It was funny enough just thinking about him getting 35 chicken nugget meals in the drive-thru, lol.

The murder was a twisty one where any number of people could’ve done it, but Sandra’s main concern was finding out Stephen wasn’t guilty-she never thought so. Sandra’s come a long way as an investigator since the very first book, and I believe Maya might just be pretty proud of how she’s turned out. With Maya’s ex out of prison now, both the ladies had some new futures to look forward to, although I’m pretty sure Sandra’s won’t include much of Stephen!

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