small town connecticut – Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

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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Dewey Decimated review

September 6, 2022September 6, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the sixth book in the Haunted Library Mysteries by Allison Brook aka Marilyn Levinson. I’ve loved this series and enjoyed it from the beginning when we first met Evelyn, the friendly library ghost who only Carrie and her little kid cousin can see.

When a body was found and Uncle Alec joined the library as a ghost, I wondered at first if Evelyn thought it was a little fun to have someone like her. She was really good to him since he was pretty depressed, and Carrie needed him to not get too excited or he’d scare everyone without meaning to. But part of me thinks Evelyn was a little relieved knowing that hopefully her charge would get to where he was destined once his murder got solved. I’m glad we’ve been getting these books more often than just once a year because I’m always eager to read the next!

#CrookedLaneBooks #AllisonBrook

My Goodreads review:

Dewey Decimated by Allison Brook
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I thought it was pretty awesome that the library acquired another ghost when a body was found during renovation of the building next door the library bought for expansion. It was especially cool that the ghost turned out to be Dylan’s Uncle Alec, an uncle he’d idolized as a kid but drew distant from as an adult. Anyone following this series knows that Dylan was told about Evelyn already, but was he ready to hear about his own uncle being a ghost? You might wanna read and find out! Evelyn’s job was to herd this ghost and keep track of him, but he was pretty depressed. Was he a temporary visitor or what?

Poor Alec was stuck there until Carrie could solve this. As always she was torn in every direction especially with the pesky reporter who wanted to go full-out Sherlock Holmes with Carrie as her sidekick. Carrie handled everything the best she could and I was proud of her for not letting that reporter walk all over her at one point.

The showdown brought on by the reporter was a good one and I gotta say the woman had guts to do what she did. Carrie did help too but wanted no part of the recognition. I hadn’t for sure suspected this person due to so many great red herrings.

The ending was so cute when Steve and Angie got their puppy which sort of helped nudge Carrie in the right direction to talk with Dylan about their own future (which I was happy to hear might include a couple dogs! Smokey Joe’s a cool cat, he’ll adjust great I’m sure!). I feel like she was much more peaceful in her mind and felt ready to move toward setting a wedding date soon.

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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Mint Chocolate Murder review

July 25, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Ice Cream Shop Mysteries by Meri Allen, probably better known as Shari Randall of the Lobster Shack Mysteries. I’m definitely liking this series as much as I did the Lobster Shack. Shari/Meri’s got a real knack for some fun characters! I really liked Maud a lot and didn’t think she was the typical diva since she was gracious enough to hire Riley and let her use her pass to jog at the castle grounds whenever she wanted.

I love how Shari was inspired by the real Gillette Castle located in Connecticut to make a castle part of this book. She told about that in one of her newsletters that you can sign up for. You can see how to sign up for said newsletter along with an outside picture of Gillette Castle on her Meri Allen Facebook page. I happened to find a picture of the interior of it at Wikimedia Commons, and I gotta say it’s pretty much the way I pictured it as I read! Can’t wait for the next book!

#St.MartinsPaperbacks #MeriAllen

My Goodreads review:

Mint Chocolate Murder by Meri Allen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It was fun spending time again in Penniman, CT with Riley and all her ice cream crew and friends. I’d forgotten what a stinker that cat of Caroline’s was, but someone in this story managed to tame the beast or at least make her more tolerable, lol. There were sure plenty of suspects, so I honestly never settled on just one but had random reasons myself for different people.

I really enjoy the Fairweather sisters’ characters! They’re both so different but I like both these ladies who’re fun and crazy in their own ways. Vye was an interesting character introduced and I did find myself hoping she’d stick around town, although you’ll have to read for yourself to see if she did!

The castle setting was so cool with all its rooms and creepiness but not super creepy since Maud was trying her best to get it looking nice again. From reading the author’s newsletter, I know there’s a castle in Connecticut she based this from and of course added some extra fun of her own to it. But it was totally picturable. Now I wouldn’t mind going to see that castle she used for inspiration!

I loved how Riley came to the answer she did and the showdown was as Flo put it, very worth of a Mission Impossible movie! The ending was just so very Riley and now I’m eager to see what happens next! This book releases tomorrow, July 26, 2022.

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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Killers of a Feather review

June 16, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Urban Tails Pet Shop Mysteries by T.C. LoTempio who also wrote the Nick and Nora Mysteries and Cat Rescue Mysteries. I really enjoyed the Cat Rescue Mysteries but haven’t yet read in Nick and Nora (although I have some of them.) I’m really liking this new series which was actually rebranded and renamed from the original version of the first book. Beyond the Page Publishing is who the author’s using now for Urban Tails, and I love the book covers!

#BeyondThePage #TCLoTempio

My Goodreads review:

Killers of a Feather by T.C. LoTempio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It seemed like it was sooo long since I got to visit with Shell and friends at her shop in Connecticut, but according to my reading record, it looks like it was around a year ago. I absolutely love Aunt Tillie’s cat, Purrday that she left to Shell. It’s almost like Purrday knows Aunt Tillie probably wanted him to keep that good eye of his on Shell and keep her safe. ‘Cause he sure does a good job of that! Who’s a good boy? Purrday’s a good boy!

This was a super twisty mystery that kept me guessing the whole way. I love how Shell and Gary sleuth together. He cracks me up and reminds me of Castle from TV with his bouncy goofiness and enthusiasm for solving cases–and being ruggedly handsome helps him get info sometimes. I like that he’s dating Olivia though. I’m not sure I’d want him and Shell as a couple, but there’s definitely a different kind of chemistry with him from acting together than Shell has with Josh. She and Josh seem cute together although we don’t get to really see as much of Josh interacting with Shell as we do Gary. It was so hilarious to read his reaction when Shell’s mom came to stay for a while, but I think deep down he was loving the attention as much as her mom was!

There were some tense moments in the showdown, but thanks to a certain adorable one-eyed Persian, Shell lived to see another day. I was laughing at the very ending and now I can’t wait to see what kind of hilarity takes places in the next book! Just wish we didn’t have to wait a year!

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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Witch Trial review

December 27, 2021 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Full Moon Mysteries by Cate Conte. As Cate, she also has the Cat Cafe Mysteries, and as Liz Mugavero, she writes the Pawsitively Organic Mysteries. The last of those was written in 2019, so I’m glad she’s writing again under at least one of her names. I hope Full Moon continues on because with this second book, I’m really more acquainted with the characters and wishing for future adventures.

My Goodreads review:

Witch Trial by Cate Conte
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It seemed like it’d been forever since I read the first book, so it took me just a little bit to remember what had gone on, but the author did a good job of reviewing without spoilers. I really do recommend reading the first book first because much of this book is a continuation of something that happened in that book.

There were a lot of different characters and possible suspects for both the continuing witchy situation and the murder of a mortal in this book. I loved Violet’s references to Samantha and Darrin in one place in the book, lol. In this world, guys and girls are both just witches for simplicity purposes I guess, but it’s still just as hard to get the nerve up to tell a mortal that you’re a witch just like back in Samantha’s day. We got to know Violet’s sister Zoe a little better this time as well as their mom, Fiona. I really like Zoe, and I guess my liking of Fiona’s character might be selective. I only like her sometimes or if I know she’s trying to help one of her girls. She’s growing on me, lol.
I wasn’t sure about Blake’s role in this, so I just kept an open mind and read on.

Toward the end, there was a surprise I didn’t see coming, and I hadn’t been able to guess whodunit. The ending after the killer was caught honestly seemed a little abrupt, but it did make sense and didn’t really leave anything hanging. I do hope there’s going to be another book so at least the conversation being had could continue.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Publishing via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own. This book releases tomorrow, December 28, 2021.

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Death on the Shelf review

November 17, 2021November 17, 2021 Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in the Haunted Library series by Allison Brook, the pen name of Marilyn Levinson who’s on Facebook under her own name and posts regularly about her books. I found out recently she’s definitely contracted to do at least two more books in this series, yay!

If anyone’s on the fence about reading a paranormal book, no worries here. There’s absolutely no magic or anything weird going on if that type thing bothers anyone. Evelyn isn’t a scary ghost at all. In fact, she just pops in and talks to Carrie like anyone else would. And it’s so cute how Carrie’s little cousin can see her too. Tacey asks about Miss Evelyn all the time, adorable! After the epic ending of this book, I can’t wait for the next! According to Marilyn’s Facebook page, it’s called Dewey Decimated and releases in September 2022.

My Goodreads review:

Death on the Shelf by Allison Brook
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another visit to Clover Ridge, CT with Carrie and all her friends was an especially good one. Angela got married and got a new husband, but all Carrie got out of it was a new murder case and an assignment from Evelyn her ghost friend.

Despite a couple of dead bodies throughout the book, there were plenty of amazing things going on that involved the assignment from Evelyn and Carrie’s dad (separately though.) I kept wondering if Evelyn’s request and what Carrie found out for her might eventually be connected to the murder. You’ll just have to read it yourself and find out, I don’t want to spoil it. The showdown was good, and I was proud of Carrie for being resourceful.

The very ending was so perfect and semi-expected but still just about the sweetest thing ever! I can’t wait to read the next book!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Crooked Lane 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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Checked Out for Murder review

September 8, 2020 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the Haunted Library series written by Allison Brook, pen name of Marilyn Levinson. I absolutely love this series and Evelyn, the library ghost that presented herself to Carrie in the first book. Evelyn always has some good insight to whatever murder that Carrie finds herself involved in solving. Carrie did use more control this time and actually enlisted some help. I enjoyed that her mom and dad were both in this book. I really like her dad’s character, especially now that he’s reformed and has a legitimate career. I’m always anxious for the next book in this fun series!

My Goodreads review:

Checked Out for Murder by Allison Brook
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I always enjoy reading the newest of this series when it comes out! I just love Evelyn, the library ghost and was just a little worried when she didn’t seem to pop in a whole lot, but her appearances got to be a little more normal later in the book. I like where Dylan and Carrie were in their relationship and continue to be. It was interesting to spend more time with Carrie’s mom, since she was in this book quite a bit more than any others. She and her current husband Tom were in town for a movie he was acting in.

I was proud of Carrie for being more cautious and trying to do a good job of staying safe by taking someone with her whenever she went someplace that could end up dangerous. I was surprised by who the killer was. Because of some very clever red herrings, I had my sights on someone else. The showdown was nice and peaceful. After one murder attempt and some threats, that was a nice change of pace. And everything was wrapped up at the end with Carrie’s dinner she had. I’m already anxious for the next book!

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

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Three Widows and a Corpse review

November 6, 2019 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Food Blogger series by Debra Sennefelder who used to be a food blogger herself. It’s quickly become a new favorite series of mine, and I was happy to return for a late summer visit to Jefferson, CT and visit with some of my favorite cozy characters. Drew always cracks me up! He’s like Hope’s pesky little brother, but he’s really a true friend, and she’s one to him as well. Hope and Claire got some sister moments in. I won’t spoil the second book if you haven’t read it, but Claire had an epiphany about her career future.

My Goodreads review:

Three Widows and a Corpse by Debra Sennefelder

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Stumbling onto another dead body again put Hope in the cross hairs of a killer, but she wasn’t going to let that or Det. Reid stop her from investigating. The case was a crazy one with three women claiming to be the dead guy’s wives. I liked the side story of Claire coming to a decision about a new career path and Hope attempting to help guide her. But like all sisters, they usually managed to disagree where good sense was concerned sometimes. It’s a good thing that Claire was at Hope’s house at the particular time she was though!

Another enjoyable side story was Hope’s assignment working at a magazine that was collaborating with her blog. There was a definite connection to the case though. I love that Hope and Ethan’s relationship has grown and gotten better, and even though he stayed fairly busy with the investigation in this book, he took time out to come and see her. Since this book has it heading toward Labor Day and fall, I’m really hoping to see a Christmas season book out next. I have no idea what the next book in the author’s mind is, but I’d sure love it if it was a Thanksgiving-into-Christmas and covered both seasons. I could picture Hope doing some pretty awesome Christmas trees in her old house!

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Buried in the Stacks review

September 11, 2019 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Haunted Library series by Allison Brook, the pen name of author Marilyn Levinson. I just love the library ghost, Evelyn! She’s not a scary ghost at all, just a sweet older lady who was killed before her time. In this book, it’s possible that Evelyn might get to find out what really happened to her and if she was murdered by the same person who killed her niece.

My Goodreads review:

Buried in the Stacks by Allison Brook

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Murder hit very close to the library ghost Evelyn’s heart in this story. Since it was her own relative that was killed, Evelyn promised Carrie that this time she’d be more willing to share things that she knew or could overhear. The side story of a daytime homeless facility was mixed up in the case as well, and Carrie couldn’t help getting involved, especially when her very sad ghost friend asked her to investigate. Evelyn had a soft spot for all her relatives.

I liked hearing from some of the previous characters like Ken Talbot and Gillian. I’ve really grown to like Carrie’s dad a lot, and she had a few good conversations with him, plus he was working for the same agency now as Dylan her boyfriend was. Dylan was coming home for good with a slight change in the original plan. I loved how little Smoky Joe, Carrie’s beloved cat that she shares with the library as their daytime cat, got to have a part in taking down the killer. I had a suspicion as to who the killer would be, but it was still really good seeing when Carrie would catch on and how the killer would get caught. Carrie got a surprise phone call from another relative who would be coming to see her in April, someone that she wasn’t really looking forward to seeing. The next book should be very interesting!

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

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