St. Martin Paperbacks – Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

Vows and Villainy review

November 25, 2025November 25, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in The Cambridge Bookshop mysteries by Elizabeth Penney, and I’ve enjoyed every book since its beginning. And after the awesome ending, I can’t wait for the next book now! It was great how everyone worked together to find the perp in this book, but well, Molly always kinda ends up in the killer’s crosshairs. But no worries, she lived to sleuth another day.

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My Goodreads review

Vows and Villainy: The Cambridge Bookshop Series by Elizabeth Penney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It was good to get back to Cambridge and visit with Molly and her family and friends. She and Kieran had been growing closer and closer as each book progressed, and I wasn’t disappointed with this book either! The mystery was a good one with an exciting showdown. I loved what happened to the perp—served them right, lol. After what happened right before the wedding, I’m eager for the next book in the series.

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

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At Death’s Dough review

October 30, 2025October 30, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in the Deep Dish Mysteries by Mindy Quigley, another fun series I’ve enjoyed since its beginning. It’s always fun to see what Delilah and her team along with her sweetie Colton get into.

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My Goodreads review:

At Death’s Dough: A Deep Dish Mystery by Mindy Quigley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another awesome story with Delilah and all her friends. She’s definitely not your typical main character in a cozy since she’s pretty much a control freak with a temper when pushed. But Delilah’s a fiercely loyal friend and her heart’s usually in the right place. Except Calvin Capone wished it wasn’t in his investigations, lol.

When Calvin had to sit out the current murder case, there was a lot more going on at the station regarding the police chief whose control-freakness made Delilah’s look mild. His ex did something at the end to get back at him that was actually pretty funny. Delilah had gotten in the crosshairs of another killer and made a narrow escape. I’m pretty sure all involved were glad to call this crazy case closed!

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

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Laying Down the Latte review

August 27, 2025August 27, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the 21st book in the long-running Bakeshop Mysteries by Ellie Alexander, and it’s definitely a good one featuring a trip to Costa Rica that Jules and Carlos wanted to make sure Andy got to go on with them. Poor guy had no idea what was in store, but neither did they as murder and mayhem was afoot.

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My Goodreads review:

Laying Down the Latte by Ellie Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It was fun reading about Jules, Carlos and Andy being in Costa Rica and even cooler when I read Ellie Alexander’s newsletter the same day telling how she’d gone there last year. I figured she must’ve been there at some point since the coffee facts and everything was described like someone who’d actually seen all this firsthand. Obviously except for the murder, lol.

Jules found herself investigating a murder even while on vacation and getting a little help/encouragement from back home from her mom and Lance. Lance was a hoot without even being there while he was energetically searching for a wedding venue for him and Arlo, and bouncing ideas off Jules probably the same way he was bouncing on caffeine.

My final guess for the killer was right (after a couple fails and my suspects didn’t pan out), and it was awesome what Jules did to said killer. The ending was filled with food and fellowship as everyone was now at home celebrated Andy’s trip to Costa Rica with Jules and Carlos and their safe return. Can’t wait to see what happens next!

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

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Doggone Bones review

May 26, 2025 Tari Hann

This is the 29th book in the Sarah Booth Delaney Mysteries by Carolyn Haines. I haven’t actually read this series from the entire beginning, but I did read the first two books and at least can appreciate a little of how the characters changed. I’ve been blessed enough to be able to get ARCs of the last maybe five or six books so at least I know what’s currently going on in Sarah Booth’s life, lol.

I love how dogs play such a huge part in her life, so this is one book where you get to cheer on the doggos and they win! And not to downplay Pluto, he’s a great watch cat! And that silly, wise Jitty, I just love her character and how she’s a good constant for Sarah Booth. She appears as just the person Sarah Booth needs her to. But sometimes having her just being Jitty’s what Sarah Booth needs most.

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My Goodreads review:

Doggone Bones by Carolyn Haines
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I had no idea that Sarah Booth’s friend Tinkie could be such a bada$$ but she was a regular hero at times in this book. The story grabbed me from the start and wouldn’t let go until I found out the good ending for some poor sweet doggos that were being used for fighting. And to think it all started with one little dog being taken. There was a lotta other things going on in this book as well.

Some involved definitely got their just desserts but another item left unsolved really bothered me a lot since it directly affected Sarah Booth and her friends. I absolutely can’t wait for the next book so some uncleared-up scum can be properly taken care of! 😉

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

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Madrigals and Mayhem review

November 30, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the Cambridge Bookshop Mysteries by Elizabeth Penney. I’ve enjoyed this series from its start and actually I like anything I’ve read by this author. She’s just got a really nice way with her characters and situations that keep me coming back for more in this series. Christmas in Cambridge with Molly and the crew was pretty cool and magical picturing how the town looked decked out in Christmas decorations. I can’t wait for the next book!

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My Goodreads review:

Madrigals and Mayhem by Elizabeth Penney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really liked new business owner Charlotte’s character a lot. She seemed to blend right in with Molly and Daisy as far as being friends went. Molly set out to prove Charlotte’s grandfather might’ve not had a natural death and one thing she did was join a local play, with Kieran of course, so she could be closer to what she believed was the source of some trouble. What happened during the play was absolutely hilarious at one point!

Once everything was solved and a super satisfying outcome occurred, Molly and her loved ones could celebrate an amazing Christmas together. With the two people having special announcements in this story, I really can’t wait to see what happens in the next book!

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

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Sleep in Heavenly Pizza review

October 27, 2024October 27, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the fourth book in the super fun Deep Dish Mysteries by Mindy Quigley which I’ve read and enjoyed from the beginning. The characters really changed and developed quite a bit, for good of course and I’ve enjoyed spending time time in Geneva Bay, WI with them. If you read this book while hungry, you might just start craving pizza, just sayin’.

My Goodreads review:

Sleep in Heavenly Pizza by Mindy Quigley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow Auntie Biz sure went through a nice transformation during the Christmas season. She was actually nice lol and didn’t even complain about Butterball the cat. There were so many secrets and little side stories but they all sorta contributed or were related to the main murder case.

In a surprising reveal of some of those secrets, a satisfying showdown followed. Now Delilah and her team could gather in their favorite thing to do: feed people and be with those they loved on Christmas Day which was an awesome gathering of family, friends and of course, great food.

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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Fondue or Die review

October 22, 2024October 22, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in the Cheese Shop Mysteries by Korina Moss, a series I’ve really enjoyed since it started. I was happy to see book 6’s slated to publish next April, Bait and Swiss. The link goes to the Amazon page, but it’s not an affiliate link since I’m not an Amazon affiliate. There’s no cover yet but the name sounds cool anyway.

The fifth book dealt with the Dairy Festival and pageant drama, need I say more? LOL. Still, who knew it’d lead to murder, right? If you’re a fan of the series, I think you’ll enjoy this latest offering. My personal recommendation is to read from the beginning so relationships make more sense and to avoid any accidental spoilers. I have no idea if there really are any, but that’s one reason I like reading in order.

My Goodreads review:

Fondue or Die by Korina Moss
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Willa had her hands full at the annual Dairy Festival with running a booth there as well as trying to figure out who murdered the pageant director. With no shortage of suspect, Willa and Team Cheese definitely had a challenging case. And Willa was really happy to spend it investigating with an unexpected guest member of the sleuths, especially when that town’s police were pointing the finger at Willa’s beloved employee. Plenty of pageant and overall festival drama with an exciting showdown.

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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Sticks and Scones review

August 21, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the nineteenth book in the long-running foodie series Bakeshop Mysteries by well-known cozy mystery author, Ellie Alexander. I think this could be my favorite book so far in the series and the way it ended (no cliffhanger, I promise, and it was a good ending too), I’m really glad the next one releases in February!

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My Goodreads review:

Sticks and Scones by Ellie Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was an extra awesome one as readers soon find out toward the end of the book. Meanwhile, one of the actors in Lance’s player company was murdered, and Lance was itching to sleuth with Jules again. Those two always crack me up when they go sleuthing! Lance is such a fun and crazy character, love him to pieces!

The series has lotsa other amazing characters that’ve grown and changed over the course of the series. I really love The Professor’s character and how he’s been such an awesome dad figure for Jules as well as a fair and hard-working police detective. Eye leakage may be experienced toward the end but it’s the happy kind. Can’t wait for the next book which thankfully comes in February!

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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Shock and Paw review

August 20, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the eighth book in the Cat Cafe Mysteries by Cate Conte which had quickly become one of my new favorite series when it started. I love the Christmastime setting in Daybreak Harbor but there was a grinch out there somewhere determined to spoil it for everyone. It released today, so grab it and have a merry little Christmas in the middle of summer.

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My Goodreads review:

Shock and Paw by Cate Conte
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was another fun book in the series, especially being set at Christmastime. I got such a kick outta Grandpa Leo and how serious he was about the Christmas lights contest, to the point of being injured in the line of duty. But that didn’t stop the former police chief at all, lol. I just love that guy!

The showdown was a crazy one that somehow I just had a feeling Maddie was gonna get involved in. Thanks to a cat, the killer didn’t get far before the police burst in. I love it when cats or other pets help in the showdown—this little guy was pretty amazing. There was a good twist toward the end that explained so much of some earlier issues about a little side mystery going on with the lights.

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

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Rhythm and Clues review

March 26, 2024 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Record Shop Mysteries by Olivia Blacke, and I’ve enjoyed this series as well from its beginning. I hope there’ll be more, but somehow got a weird feeling this might be it. I guess time’ll tell on that!

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My Goodreads review:

Rhythm and Clues by Olivia Blacke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I always love visiting with Juni and her sisters—Juni cracks me up with her crazy sense of humor. I definitely hadn’t guessed right on the perp, that was a total surprise twist. The lengthy but interesting author note at the end made me sorta believe this could be the last book in the series. While I’d always wish for more books, it seemed to end in a good place for all the key players.

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

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