small town connecticut – Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

The Cold Case and the Corpse review

December 9, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the eighth book in the Food Blogger Mysteries, a fun cozy mystery series by Debra Sennefelder that I’ve enjoyed since it first came out. It’s best to read the series from the beginning since you get to see how Hope’s relationship with Ethan started and grew to what it is now. And his police work history is kinda important too! 😉

Note: The series link goes to Amazon since this book isn’t shown on Goodreads as being part of the series. Not an affiliate link.

#NetGalley #BeyondthePageBooks #DebraSennefelder

My Goodreads review:

The Cold Case and the Corpse by Debra Sennefelder
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hope can definitely be helpful and snooping to the point of being annoying, but she’s also very endearing, and something about her always makes you wanna forgive her. Luckily Ethan’s got the patience of a saint when it comes to dealing with her curiosity and penchant for getting herself into life and death situations. I liked how someone in the book put it, that she had more lives than her cat, lol.

The ending was awesome with food, friends and fellowship—along with an amazing announcement from someone. Can’t wait to read the next book now.

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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A Side Dish of Death review

February 25, 2025February 25, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in the Urban Tails Pet Shop mysteries by T.C. (Toni) LoTempio and it’s another series I’ve enjoyed from the very beginning. I love how Shell’s former co-star, Gary, of their spy series has stayed around and now he’s dating her bestie, Olivia. And the murder taking place at an event that featured a murder mystery and dinner was just too fun.

Shell and Gary always make for great sleuths, who knows, maybe the TV show gave the two some practice they never thought they’d use in real life, lol! He’s a hoot and totally reminds me of Richard Castle from TV–he likes to cook and sleuth plus he’s crazy fun.

#NetGalley #BeyondthePage #TCLoTempio

My Goodreads review:

A Side Dish of Death by T. C. LoTempio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely love Gary’s character! He always cracks me up. Luckily he’s dating Shell’s bestie and only doing sleuthing with Shell now instead of how he originally hoped they could be together. Shell’s super happy with her detective boyfriend who’s come to appreciate her and Gary’s help even if it’s just being a runner for something. This was the summertime version of characters stranded in a place with a storm raging outside, technically a hurricane. Purrday and Princess Fuzzypants were their usual good kitty helpers and found clues and even got to help when it was needed most. The showdown was a crazy one and led to the following day being spent with food and friends while Shell, Josh and Gary filled in everyone on the excitement. Can’t wait for the next book! This is one of my fave series.

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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A Corpse Among the Carolers review

November 12, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the seventh book in the Food Blogger Mysteries by Debra Sennefelder and I’ve enjoyed it from the beginning. Hope’s a likable character and she’s got the best sidekick in her bestie Drew. Ethan’s incredibly patient with all her sleuthing but he always worries about her. Maybe if she got a Doberman to take with her, he’d worry less lol. Anyway, this was a fun and festive book full of the mysteries we love along with food, fellowship and family. The ending was especially good! Can’t wait for the next book!

My Goodreads review:

A Corpse Among the Carolers by Debra Sennefelder
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hope always has a way of getting herself into danger when she’s investigating a case. It seems she and the detective at least came to an understanding and this time he wasn’t quite so harsh.
I’d guessed the killer but definitely not the plot twist regarding said killer. The showdown was exciting and let’s just say it’s a good thing Drew’s got such a sweet tooth. The ending was amazing with all Hope’s family and friends gathered for a super memorable Christmas Eve dinner.

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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Cats, Carats and Killers review

March 17, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the Urban Tails Pet Shop Mysteries by T.C. LoTempio (known for her fun cat-themed cozies), and I’ve enjoyed this series since it started. I’m always happy to see the latest installment and hope there’ll be many more.

#NetGalley #BeyondthePage #TCLoTempio

My Goodreads review:

Cats, Carats and Killers by T.C. LoTempio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

These cats just continue to be awesome little helpers (although sometimes mischievous) when Shell’s working on a case she’s been warned off time and again, lol. A cold case tied in with the new murder and Shell found herself diving right into it. She and Gary did the sleuthing thing so well, probably from years of practice on their spy show, but he was never with her when the super exciting (or dangerous) stuff happened. That place was reserved for one of the cats (Purrday’s my fave though!).

That was some showdown! And a really good twist too although I was really happy with whodunit. I get the feeling that Shell’s mom’s idea for the next fundraiser might just be the subject of the next book. I hope so!

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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Overdue or Die review

October 10, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the seventh book in the Haunted Library Mysteries by Allison Brook, better known on social media as Marilyn Levinson, the talent behind the pen name. I’ve enjoyed this series since the beginning and trust me, the haunted library isn’t scary at all. Evelyn’s an awesome ghost who’s become a good friend of Carrie. It’d be so sweet if Evelyn could appear at Carrie and Dylan’s wedding coming up sometime soon. That should be one interesting wedding!

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #AllisonBrook

My Goodreads review:

Overdue or Die by Allison Brook
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was definitely a case with a ton of different connections and crazy stuff happening all the time. Even Dylan got pulled into it from an artwork detective standpoint. Who was leaving this pile of bodies and serving as the brains behind a sophisticated forgery operation? Well, if anyone could ferret all that information out, we know our pal Carrie’s the sleuth for the job. She even had two different people asking her to find killers…well three since Evelyn counts as part of ghost people.

Only our Carrie could manage to pull off all the above along with getting ready to be married in around six months. That showdown was pretty exciting and more than one person was proud of how Carrie handled everything and ended up not almost getting killed. The ending was so cool when a new friend had an incredible surprise for Carrie and Dylan. I can’t wait for the next book!

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

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Death Steals the Spotlight review

June 26, 2023 Tari Hann

This is actually the third book in the Urban Tails Pet Shop Mysteries –but you won’t see this book on that page because it wasn’t correctly set up. The author’s T.C. LoTempio of the Nick and Nora and Cat Rescue Mysteries, Nick and Nora being the longer-running series. I’m linking to her original author page which shows her and her sweet cat. (I’ve got no clue why someone made another author page for her for this book, but I could probably have a GR librarian friend look into it.) I’ve enjoyed this series a lot and was happy to learn it’s getting a fourth book!

#NetGalley #BeyondthePagePublishing #TCLoTempio

My Goodreads review:

Death Steals the Spotlight by T C Lotempio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Shell’s mom was trying to save the local play by using her connections and getting in a director and some cast members to replace some locals who’d quit. When the director was murdered, Shell and Gary started sleuthing again. While I do like her with Josh for a boyfriend, I love the sleuthing chemistry Shell and Gary have. Kinda like Castle and Beckett!

Meanwhile, Purrday was in love with a gorgeous Maine Coon he’d found and Shell rescued from a tangled vine. I felt sorry for poor Kahlua who was probably wondering why her brother was acting so loony. And she didn’t seem fond of the houseguest who’s probably gonna be a fixture from now, lol.

The showdown was really exciting but as always Shell used her brain as well as her awesome cats once more showing Gary and Josh where to find her and the perp. She had things under control by the time they arrived, but it’s cool how the kitties always know where to find their mom! I’m pretty sure I saw in the author’s newsletter that there’s definitely a book 4 coming!

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

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Fatal Fudge Swirl review

June 25, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Ice Cream Shop Mysteries by Meri Allen who most cozy mystery readers also know is Shari Randall who wrote the Lobster Shack Mysteries. I really love the key characters in this series. The sisters who work at the ice cream shop, Flo and Gerri, always crack me up with how different they are from each other. Riley’s got some good people working with her and bestie Caroline comes home for the weekends from Boston. Penniman sounds like a fun place and if you get the author’s newsletter you get little tidbits about what she’s writing and areas in Connecticut she’s based it on.

#NetGalley #StMartinPaperbacks #MeriAllen-ShariRandall

My Goodreads review:

Fatal Fudge Swirl by Meri Allen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Who wouldn’t love to visit Penniman at Halloween? It sounded pretty awesome with all the decorations and cool pumpkin carvings. Riley had her hands full with having to wrangle Sprinkles, the very-much-not-an-angel cat onto a film set because she was wanted for filming. Too hilarious how the cat from you know where took a liking to the lead actor but sure didn’t like the main actress, lol. And she had to keep up that America’s sweetheart image too, now that was pretty funny! Good ole Sprinkles can always produce a laugh from somewhere! But she couldn’t prevent murder.

The ending had a search going on for a young girl who might’ve witnessed the murder or heard something, so luckily she was found and the perp was named. Lots of family and friends time was enjoyed in the book as well. I thought Riley’s dad and stepmom were just too cute how they ran that bookstore together and now were part of the movie being made. Nice nod to one of everyone’s favorite cute romance/mystery channels too! The book releases on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 and I hope you’ll find like I did it’s nice little escape.

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

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How the Murder Crumbles review

June 16, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the first book in the Cookie Shop Mysteries by Debra Sennefelder who cozy mystery fans should know well from her Food Blogger Mysteries and Resale Boutique Mysteries. Mallory makes me think of Kelly a lot from Resale because they’re both determined and stubborn when they’re sleuthing and won’t let go no matter who tells them to, even a killer! This book comes out next Tuesday, June 20, 2023, so save that date!

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #DebraSennefelder

My Goodreads review:

How the Murder Crumbles by Debra Sennefelder
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mallory was having a great time selling cookies in her store and enjoying lots of popularity…until she wasn’t because of someone apparently framing her for murder which didn’t sit well with her…at all. All I can say is if I was accused of murder, I’d sure want Mal on my side, lol. I loved her best friend Kip who’s from a police family but followed his dream of “I just wanna bake”—can’t blame him there, well at least up until now, baking was a safer choice. Although with Mal the target of a killer, all bets were off as to how safe it was now. Kip did have lots of police insight after years of hearing crime stories from the fam, but he never tried to weasel info from them. Might as well leave that up to Mal, right? 😉

That was one exciting showdown and good for Mal on how she managed it. During the course of the book, she’d gotten her dream squashed then brought back to life, made friends with the most unlikely person and hopefully was on her way back to a good relationship with her cousin. Oh yeah, and the cutest part was at the end! I’m not gonna give it away, but I betcha say “Awwww!” Don’t miss the start of a brand new series from the author of the Food Blogger series and Resale Boutique.

It’s available Tuesday, June 20, 2023.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Crooked Lane via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

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Witch Way Out review

March 30, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the fun, magical Full Moon Mysteries series by Cate Conte who wrote the Cat Café series under this pen name and the Pawsitively Organic cozy mysteries under her Liz Mugavero identity. I’ve enjoyed some books from all the series and am up to date with Full Moon. Always some good characters and engaging plots whether you read her as Cate or Liz!

#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #CateConte

My Goodreads review:

Witch Way Out by Cate Conte
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Violet had enough witchy world issues to worry about, so she definitely didn’t need the murder of a mortal who was running the spring equinox festival. At least the police didn’t seem too interested in her as a suspect. With another genieing in her witch world, Violet couldn’t help worrying she might be next since the battle seemed never to end.

The showdowns for both the murder and the magical issue were good ones and finally there seemed to be peace in both worlds. Some secrets had come out and explanations were made. And finally Violet seemed to have a good man in her life as well. I’m not sure if this is supposed to be the last in the series, but if it does end here, it’s all in a really good place.

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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