Tag: small town montana

Nutcracker Nightmare review

Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Killer Chocolate Mysteries by Christina Romeril, and I’ve really enjoyed both the first book and this one. It’d probably be helpful to read the first book before reading this or at least I think it makes for the most enjoyment to already know the characters and townspeople by the time the second book rolls around. It was so easy to fall right back in love with this Christmas movie of a town, but cute as it looked there were tons of secrets to be had. Someone was willing to kill to keep their secrets–and what’s up with the mysterious blogger who seemed to know everyone’s business? Were they gonna get caught as well? You’ll need to read to find out!

#NetGalley #CrookedLane #ChristinaRomeril

My Goodreads review:

Nutcracker Nightmare (Killer Chocolate, #2)Nutcracker Nightmare by Christina Romeril
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

During a reunion event and dinner, a bunch of high school drama was still still affecting people who were definitely old enough not to act that way or care about old grudges etc. When one murder followed fairly soon by another rocked the peacefulness of the village’s Christmas season, Alex wasn’t about to listen to the sheriff and stay out.

Despite a couple scary things happening to her as well as wondering who the mysterious gossip blogger was who eerily knew things before the police informed people, and wondering what was up with Tom, Alex managed to crack the case and lived to sleuth another day thanks to a clever gift from a friend. I’m happy with how things ended between the twins and their guys and can’t wait to see what happens in next year’s book!

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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A Christmas Candy Killing review

Tari Hann

This is the first book in a brand new series, Killer Chocolate Mysteries by new cozy author Christina Romeril. She’s definitely got the right idea of what a cozy mystery’s all about, and I really loved her first offering. Her descriptions really made it feel like Christmas! I was pulled in from the beginning and really enjoyed all the different characters in the town that made up the interesting village of Harriston, Montana. I can’t wait for the next book now!

#CrookedLaneBooks #ChristinaRomeril

My Goodreads review:

A Christmas Candy KillingA Christmas Candy Killing by Christina Romeril
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was such a fun Christmas read! I’m a summer fan who’s simply ready for Christmas once summer’s all over. I could ideally skip fall aka allergy season lol, and this helped put me in a good Christmas mood. I really liked these sisters who were different enough but still enjoyed sleuthing together, although it was usually Alex doing the legwork since Hanna was the chocolate maker and felt she needed to stay put. The people making up their circle of friends were just so awesome it made me wish I could be friends with them too, like Maggie and Drew, bless his li’l hypochondriac heart anyway lol. The store was so cool too with the poison-named chocolates and the bookstore selling just mysteries.

That sweet doggie Miss Watson reminded me so much of the adorable boy who looked just like a Staffordshire that we fed over Labor Day, and her adoption story was similar. (Happy ending: the dog we helped has his forever home with someone now). Watson was super gentle but boy, when Alex needed her in action, Watson made her proud!

I’d sorta suspected someone from when clues just started to click, but it was definitely before Alex had the idea. She and Watson were holding their own in the showdown, but the help from a couple friends was very appreciated too. Hopefully one of said friends might be thinking in terms of being more than friends with Alex.

And the end was a little bit funny and a little bit sad for Duncan who’d broken up with Hanna a while back but still liked hanging out with her. He realized he might not be the only guy interested in her now! And a refreshing change from the MC getting a triangle–I think I could handle it better for a secondary character. I’m definitely eager to read the next book which does have a GR title listing only, but I’m waiting until there’s a cover picture to add it to my WTR. I’m just weird like that lol. Don’t miss this awesome embodiment of all things expected in a cozy mystery when it releases October 11!

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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The Glitter End review

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 EndThe 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.

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Last Pen Standing review

Tari Hann

This is the first book in a brand new series called Stationery Shop Mysteries by established author Vivian Conroy.  It releases on September 24, 2019, but I have so many others to read by then, that I’m letting this post go through a little early.

Her other series that come to mind are the Country Gift Shop and Cornish Castle Mysteries (there’s a dachshund in that one, I. need. to. read!) as well as a couple of others I saw on her Amazon page. I really enjoyed the author’s style and character development–see my review below for specifics. By the end of the book, I was anxious to spend more time with Hazel, Delta and Jonas…oh and Mrs. Cassidy too. I definitely recommend preordering a copy today! (I did, then saw that I could read it early on NetGalley–couldn’t resist.)

My Goodreads review:

Last Pen Standing (Stationery Shop Mystery Book 1)Last Pen Standing by Vivian Conroy

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh this was really good! I’d never read anything by this author before, but now I’d like to explore her other cozy series. These characters really grew on me! Hazel and Delta were such good friends and fell right back into how easily they got along in college. Mrs. C of the Paper Posse was a real character, and even though we only met some of the others via text, I could tell that they were fun too. I loved how Delta and Jonas just connected when it came to sleuthing. Even though he was a former police officer, he didn’t try to discourage her, and they really worked well together. There wasn’t anything romantic whatsoever, but I kinda hope that eventually they’ll become a little more than just friends! The idea of Jonas and his former K-9 officer Spud getting other retired K-9 officers acclimated to life as a pet or family dog was just awesome! I kept hoping that Delta would want to adopt a dog like Spud, but maybe given time I’ll get my wish. I hope so! I’d like to hear Jonas’ story (as I think Delta would too) about how he decided to quit the police force or what made him do that. I’m sure there’s something interesting there.

There were quite a few possible suspects, and I didn’t really figure it out until Jonas and Delta did. I really enjoyed the trap they set and Spud’s role in the take down too. The wrap-up party which was really Wanted’s grand opening party was a nice touch that took care of any loose ends and told what the other characters like Hazel’s brother would be doing.

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