sleuthing friends – Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

Blame It on the Beignets review

December 8, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the ninth book in the Deputy Donut Mysteries by Ginger Bolton, another favorite series of mine, and I’m always eager to read the next book. Dep’s such a cutie and one of the best clue-sniffing cats in mysteries. She didn’t disappoint! Anyone who’s read the series is gonna recognize the name Jolly Cops Cleaning, so we finally got to meet one of those awesome retired officers who have a cleaning business with Deputy Donuts as a client.

There was a lot going on in this book which included Samantha’s baby shower as well as a budding romance for one of Emily’s good business friends. Can’t wait to see what happens with that, it was just too cute! There was a cute little dog that kept popping up in the story, poor Dep wasn’t too sure about her, but both got to be in the showdown. What someone did to that perp was hilarious!

I thought this free photo from Pexels reminded me of Dep sitting on one of her shelves either in Emily’s office or at home.

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #GingerBolton

My Goodreads review:

Blame the Beignets by Ginger Bolton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I always enjoy a visit to Fallingbrook to see what Emily and her sweet kitty Deputy aka Dep are up to. Emily’s new assistant Hannah and her sister Olivia who also worked for Emily were the employees featured. Hannah and a couple friends were indirectly involved in a murder, so I could just imagine how poor Olivia was worrying like crazy.

I love that Emily and Brent were settled in as a married couple now like her besties Misty and Samantha. They weren’t in the story a whole lot except for their roles as police officer and paramedic. I was glad the DCI detective that came this time was Rex who we know from previous books. Emily’s friend Summer was really glad to see him lol. I see a new romance starting up and Det. Rex may just have to make excuses to come to town more often.

The showdown was both exciting and fun in a comical sorta way. Everything that led up to catching the perp was pretty awesome and it was a group effort too. Heck, don’t bother with prison, just turn Madame Monique loose on a criminal—they’d probably beg for prison instead lol. I was secretly cheering her on because she had an excellent reason for what she was doing to the perp. I really enjoyed the ending and hopefully it’ll turn out amazing for a very special couple Emily and Brent were good friends with. Can’t wait to read the next book!

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

View all my reviews

Trouble Is Brewing review

July 25, 2024July 25, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in the Tea by the Sea Mysteries by well-known cozy mystery author, Vicki Delany aka Eva Gates of the Lighthouse Library Mysteries. I’ve enjoyed this series as much as her other ones. She’s always known for clever, fun characters and some cute pets like Eclair the Labradoodle and Robbie, Rose’s lap cat. Lily and her grandma really had their work cut out for them this time, what a crazy bunch of guests!

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #VickiDelany

My Goodreads review:

Trouble Is Brewing by Vicki Delany
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What’s even worse than a bridezilla? A groom’s Momzilla, that’s what and Sophia filled that role like a champ. I didn’t care for her at all but her own mother-in-law Regina who was pretty insufferable as it was stood up to Sophia’s insults and petty comments about her. I agreed with Bernie, I kinda liked the old lady! Such is the life of B&B and tearoom owners Rose and Lily.

I’m pretty sure I’d never have the patience for doing their jobs but they were awfully good at it. And wouldn’t life be boring without a bestie like Bernie? She always cracks me up but somehow she and her total opposite Lily work out great as besties and bring out the best in each other.

I’d actually guessed the killer but not any of the reasons behind it and loved how Rose helped get a somewhat confession from the person. Nice and safe and working with Detective Amy too. I loved that Amy was taking the lead on this case since especially in the first book or two, Det. Williams was just jerk who wanted to solve a case fast and close it out. Maybe he was afraid of Amy, lol. He’s actually acting pretty decent in this book, but it was using Amy’s ideas that closed this case out.

The end brought a fun thing coming up for Rose, Simon and Lily so it’ll be interesting to see if the next book tells all about that. It’s sure got some possibilities but I won’t spoil what’s happening.

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

View all my reviews

In Hot Water review

October 16, 2021October 16, 2021 Tari Hann

This is the first book in a new series called Misty Bay Tearoom by Kate Kingsbury who some might know from her Pennyfoot Hotel House or Merry Ghost Inn series. She was a new-to-read author to me since I do have some of those series but just haven’t had a chance to dig in yet. After reading this book, what am I waiting for? She’s got a good blend of sweet cozy, tense moments, snarky characters (when needed), a li’l romance, humor and just an overall good mystery and fun characters. I’m eager to read the next book in this new series.

My Goodreads review:

In Hot Water by Kate Kingsbury
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What an awesome mystery featuring three otherwise unlikely friends who were coworkers to begin with at Vivian’s tearoom. Vivian was settled into life as a widow but still missed her husband a lot. Jenna was divorced and somewhat jaded, but she was overall an awesome friend and worker for Vivian. And Gracie was like the bubbling-over, super happy little sister, who I guessed was about twenty-something. (and Jenna maybe thirty-something with Vivian around ten years older than Jenna.) I loved Gracie’s character, and when they started investigating the murder, she reminded me of Scrappy Doo with her enthusiasm lol! All three ladies had each others’ backs and would’ve done anything for the others.

I really enjoyed Vivian’s friendship with Hal, a super sweet, somewhat-older-than-her, man who had the pet store. He was so kind to her and gave her friendship and platonic companionship when she needed it. I have a feeling they’d both like to explore a more serious relationship though, so it’ll be interesting to see how it plays out in the next book. The usual trope switch-up was Jenna and the detective seeming to like each other. And Gracie was cheerleader for both of them. She had a fun little side story going on that turned out very sweet.

It was easy to be torn between some good suspect candidates as the threats ramped up and the ladies got closer to the answer. When Vivian had the answer, it was a race to the showdown. I enjoyed this book so much and can’t wait now for the next to come along.

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

View all my reviews

The Glitter End review

September 20, 2021 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Stationery Shop series by Vivian Conroy who’s written several other cozy mystery series that I hope to explore (especially the one with the dachshund on the cover!) I’ve enjoyed this series since the beginning and have liked each book a little more than the one before it. The character relationships are good but still growing. I love how close Delta and her Gran are and hope they can soon find a house to own together-although she does worry that Hazel might feel bad whenever that happens, since Delta lives in Hazel’s place until she and Gran can find something. I got a kick out of the side story of Delta worrying if Jonas was involved with someone else who happened to be a dog training friend.

My Goodreads review:

The Glitter End by Vivian Conroy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It was good to catch up with Hazel, Delta, Gran and all their friends in the Paper Posse in this mystery where just about anyone could’ve been a suspect. I was particularly interested to see if Delta and Jonas’s relationship would progress a little and was happy with what I read. Gran was looking to have a chance at the same type of happiness, so that’ll be interesting to see if it’s continued through the next book. Even Hazel might’ve been warming up a bit to Ray who seems like a puppy only wanting to make her happy, lol.

I wouldn’t have guessed the killer at all until later in the book, but someone who helped with the showdown was more of a surprise for me (in a good way). I don’t want say a whole lot for fear of ruining something for readers. Despite the mystery seeming to go slowly in some spots (as in, no progress seemed to be made on the case), it was still very much worth reading. I was curious throughout to see if two different incidents were connected, but you’ll have to read it yourself to see what those were. This book releases in eight days on September 28, 2021.

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

View all my reviews