st. martin's paperbacks – Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery

Hard Dough Homicide review

May 25, 2023May 25, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Spice Isle Bakery Mysteries by Olivia Matthews, and I’ve loved both of the first books. What’s not to love about this amazing family that loves each other so much and just wants to be a contributing and thriving part of the Little Caribbean community? Their bakery sounds pretty darn delicious too! From its great characters and location to its family camaraderie, I’m hoping this series sticks around for a good long time.

UPDATE: I just spied with my little eyes that the third book’s coming out in December, and it’s called Coconut Drop Dead. (not an affiliate link.) And it’s listed on Goodreads, but it’s not under its series name.

#NetGalley #MinotaurBooks #StMartinsPaperback #OliviaMatthews

My Goodreads review:

Hard Dough Homicide by Olivia Matthews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really love Lyndsay and her awesome family! Granny just cracks me up with how she wants to help sleuth, and Lyndsay’s always having to worry about keeping her feisty little granny out of trouble, lol. I really like how this family loves one another unconditionally and always has each others’ backs. Even any bickering done is always good-naturedly, and I also think it’s pretty awesome how Lyndsay and her family start each day at the bakery with a prayer.

This was a really baffling mystery, but with the help of her family going over motives and possible means, Lyndsay and Granny set off to solve this once and for all. Lyndsay’s always been super gracious and again credited her entire family with solving the case (her kickboxing training came in handy again too!). And to top off being declared completely innocent, the fam got a nice surprise at the end of the book. I can’t wait to see what mystery adventures Lyndsay and crew get into in the next book!

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

View all my reviews

Tell-Tell Bones review

May 16, 2023May 16, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the 26th in the long-running Sarah Booth Delaney Mysteries by Carolyn Haines. I’ve loved every one that I’ve read, but admittedly, I’ve been known to skip around in this series, usually something more unheard of for me. But I’ve never felt lost whether it was the first book or the 21st book (probably saw it shiny and new at the library and just had to read it), or the 26th one here because Sarah Booth’s just a good and reliable character–and the author does a nice job of catching readers up completely without boring them over past details or giving away spoilers. Jitty (basically the house ghost) absolutely cracks me up and I love to see what person in history she’s gonna pop in as next. It’s out today, so enjoy Sarah’s Booth and Sweetie Pie’s latest adventure. Ok, Pluto too, can’t forget the kitty! 😉

#NetGalley #StMartinsPaperbacks #CarolynHaines

My Goodreads review:

Tell-Tale Bones by Carolyn Haines
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In the earlier books, I’d never have figured Sarah Booth and Tinkie would end up as such good friends let alone private investigator partners. And Tinkie’s a mom too, shut the front door! But she’s a really good mom and loves that baby like crazy. I liked how she always put her baby’s needs first, but she’s never a slacker in the investigation either.

This author did an amazing job of creating the most loathable character I’ve ever read about. I mean seriously, he needed a posse of good ol’ boys to just take care of him out in the north pasture. But I actually love what happened to this character eventually. Can’t really reveal a whole lot other than yup, baddies get their comeuppance in the Sarah Booth Delaney series. And sometimes that awesome hound Sweetie Pie gets to help!

What an epic showdown/takedown of the perp in this story. Don’t ya just love when a plan comes together?

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

View all my reviews

Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust review

April 14, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Deep Dish Mysteries by Mindy Quigley, and the characters quickly became some of my fave cozy characters. I hope the series continues because Dee and her friends seem to have a bunch more stories to tell. One character I got the biggest kick out of was Molly aka Mac who was Delilah’s hostess’s cousin. That girl was so hilarious and charismatic (she got Auntie Biz to smile!)–what’s even more fun is at the end where you find the recipes, you’ll see the first one written in the voice of Mac herself. Auntie Biz’s recipe was pretty funny too!

#NetGalley #St.MartinPaperbacks #MindyQuigley

My Goodreads review:

Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust by Mindy Quigley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another visit to Geneva Bay around Labor Day was pretty exciting and not just because of the festival and local vendor food tasting contest. The place was rich in mobster history, and Delilah worried that maybe one was back to find something he lost while in prison. Auntie Biz was a little grouchier than usual and it turned out she had a good reason.

Delilah’s a great main character and I admire her strength but dang it, girl, can’t you just let people be nice and do stuff for you? LOL, she might be working on that. Lots of little side mysteries were going on but everything wrapped up nicely at the end. For a while though I was worried there was one part that wasn’t gonna be solved, but no worries! The ending was a little odd but I’m betting Delilah did the best thing for everyone concerned. Can’t let out too much, you’ll just have to grab this when it goes on sale Tuesday, April 25, 2023.

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

View all my reviews

Curds of Prey review

March 28, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the third book in the Cheese Shop Mysteries by Korina Moss and it’s quickly become one of my “don’t wanna miss this” series. I love the camaraderie Willa has both at work and outside the job with her employees now friends, Archie and Mrs. Schultz (who we learned does have a first name lol). Baz has been and keeps on being an amazing friend to Willa who like her seems to be looking for just the right companion of the opposite sex. But at least they can commiserate together when or if they’re neither one successful. I think it’s cool how he reminds Willa of her late brother.

#NetGalley #St.MartinPaperbacks #KorinaMoss

My Goodreads review:

Curds of Prey by Korina Moss
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I always love a visit to this cute little California town to see what Willa and her friends are up to. Leave it to Willa to have one of the most dysfunctional but important families commission her catering services that ended up having a murder connected with it. Meanwhile, since her sorta-boyfriend Roman was sorta involved-ish, Willa had to sort out her feelings for him and if her future wanted to include him at all.

We met some interesting but suspicious characters, and all the investigating led to a good showdown where Willa did at least have some friends as backup. The Valentine’s Day party had been the reveal for the town pickpocket, so that side mystery was cleared up as well. Instead of sweating whether she had a date or not, Willa just enjoyed some good times with her amazing friends.

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

View all my reviews

Primer and Punishment review

February 21, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the fifth book in the House Flipper Mysteries by Diane Kelly, and it’s become my favorite so far. There was a lot going on and tons of secrets people were keeping, so it wasn’t easy to zone in on one suspect. I definitely didn’t guess this one right but I sure enjoyed it a lot! If you’ve followed the series from the beginning like I have, you’re gonna love the ending! Can’t wait for the next book!

My Goodreads review:

Primer and Punishment: A House-Flipper Mystery by Diane Kelly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This might just be my fave of the series so far with a murder mystery set on a lake and with Whit’s bestie Colette getting married soon. That was a pretty cool flip and a great idea Buck had to buy and rehab an old houseboat. They were definitely lucky Buck had the foresight to ask the neighbor to move his boat out while he grilled, or Whitney and Buck could’ve ended up in the same shape as their neighbor which wasn’t too good!

I was really surprised by the killer since I had someone else in mind. The showdown was exciting and Collin ended up getting his perp. But he’d be sure to tell everyone that Whitney had lots to do with pointing him in the right direction. I liked Dep. Fire Marshal Landreth’s character. She was fair and actually was very open to Whit and Buck as far as accepting info on the case.

The events following the murder solving were just fun and the ending of the book was so darn sweet. Now I really can’t wait for the next book!

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

View all my reviews

Against the Currant review

January 24, 2023 Tari Hann

This is the first book in a brand new series by Olivia Matthews who’s known for her Sister Lou and Peach Coast Library cozy mysteries. If you want to take a peek at her actual picture and info, her main bio can be found at Patricia Sargeant. Unfortunately, the way the book listing was done on Goodreads, somehow the series name wasn’t included as a link, but Amazon’s showing the second book for this series which comes out in May. Here’s Hard Dough Homicide in its Amazon listing. I’m not an affiliate and this is just the product link.

#St.MartinsPaperbacks #OliviaMatthews

My Goodreads review:

Against the Currant: A Spice Isle Bakery Mystery by Olivia Matthews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really loved meeting Lyndsay and her big, awesome family. Her Granny just cracked me up–she was definitely my fave character! All the characters and descriptions really helped me feel like I was there in that section of Brooklyn even though I’ve never been shopping there. (My only quick Brooklyn experience included eating at Junior’s and seeing the house used for the exterior of Blue Bloods lol). Aside from the mean guy who was dead, most of these people were so amazing in how they protected each other and came together as family/good friends to support Lyndsay.

I was definitely surprised by the whodunit since I had someone else in mind all together. That was a great showdown and I was cheering the whole time as Lyndsay kicked some serious behind. She was more grateful than ever for the kickboxing she’d done since age thirteen. The ending was my favorite type with food, family and friends along with everything being explained completely. I’m eager to see what other kinds of adventures my new book friends come up with in the next book!

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

View all my reviews

Vinyl Resting Place review

December 19, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the first book in the Record Shop Mysteries by newer cozy mystery author, Olivia Blacke who’s got another cozy mystery series that came out in 2021. Now I’d like to read that series too. And I randomly stumbled onto the second book in the Record Shop series on Goodreads. It’s due out July 25, and it’s called A Fatal Groove. Isn’t that a great cover? You can see Daffy the cat even better on that second book’s cover! Unfortunately, there’s no description for it yet, but that makes it more exciting to wait for, right? At least it’s not a super long wait. In the meantime, enjoy this book and maybe even give the author’s other series a try.

#StMartinsPress #OliviaBlacke

My Goodreads review:

Vinyl Resting Place by Olivia Blacke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a fun new offering by a a newer cozy mystery author, and it looks super promising. I love the idea of three sisters working together. Their teasing banter is lotsa fun, but you can still tell they’d each do anything for the other sisters. After the murder, most of the book was spent chasing or trying to locate rascally Uncle Calvin. Having a record store with a coffee shop in it was a fun place to center the action what with the renewed interest in records with the younger crowd and some of the boomers and older who loved it–and pretty much everyone loves a good cuppa something. The names of the coffee or tea offerings were too much fun! And Juni was just an overall fun character! We could be mother/daughter with how I totally am all about her comfortable way of wanting to dress and not dress up, lol.

After a well-placed clue, I was pretty sure I knew whodunit, and I was right! The showdown was a good one with plenty of incriminations going on, but at the very end, I loved what definitively nailed the perp! Calvin and his ex-business partner/buddy Samuel were two old curmudgeons, but I could tell the girls loved them a lot, so it’ll be interesting to see what this sleuthing bunch gets into next!

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

View all my reviews

A Trip With Trouble review

October 23, 2022October 23, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Mountain Lodge Mysteries which started in 2021 but for some reason it just seems like it’s been longer since I read that first book. The series is by Diane Kelly, no stranger to writing cozy mysteries with memorable characters and awesome pets. I really love the three series I currently read by her and it’s always so hard to wait for the next book!

#St.Martin’sPaperbacks #DianeKelly

My Goodreads review:

A Trip with Trouble by Diane Kelly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It was fun visiting the Mountaintop Lodge again and for some reason it just seemed like forever since I’d read that first book, but the characters were so memorable there was absolutely no problem getting settled back in with Misty, Rocky and Brynn, and of course Yeti kitty and Molasses aka Mo, Rocky’s dog. I always like those short scenes from Yeti’s viewpoint since she sometimes sees stuff before the humans do or observes it differently. Too bad she can’t tell the humans, lol.

Misty hosted a lively but orderly group and I was honestly sad when one of their own was who was murdered this time. Misty and Rocky’s sleuthing together is always lots of fun, but she got with Brynn for part of it too. Was it one of the motorcycle club members who’d had too much of the lady or was a family member? Or some random stranger? Misty had all kinds of questions in her mind and worked closely with Deputy Gillespie to flush out their killer.

There were a couple side mysteries which could’ve easily been connected to the murder…were they or weren’t they? You’ll have to read for yourselves and find out in a couple days when this book releases on October 25. I can’t wait for the next one!

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

View all my reviews

A Doomful of Sugar review

October 21, 2022October 21, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the first book in a brand new series, Maple Syrup Mysteries by well-known cozy mystery author Catherine Bruns. One of my fave series of hers is the Cindy York Mysteries, but one thing’s for sure, she always writes about likable and fun characters you end up wanting to be friends with. Now that I’ve read this first book, I’m super eager to read the next one! This book releases next Tuesday, October 25, 2022.

#St.MartinPaperbacks #CatherineBruns

My Goodreads review:

A Doomful of Sugar by Catherine Bruns
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This author never disappoints, so I really loved this first in her new Maple Syrup series. I felt so bad for Leila coming home under the circumstances she did and could see why she was more determined than ever to find her dad’s killer. When more bodies started falling, I’m sure she wondered if she’d gotten involved a little too much, yikes! But she was hurting and ready to lash out at everyone at first as far as making them part of her suspect list. It was pretty sweet what changed her mind about one of the people on her list! 😉

There were a couple of really good twists toward the end and I hadn’t really seen either of them coming, maybe one more than another one. But Leila handled things well with a little help from a new friend. I loved how everyone gathered to celebrate Leila’s dad at the end and get all the loose ends explained from the case. There were a couple of side stories that made for great red herrings! I really can’t wait now for the next book since things progressed pretty much like I’d hoped! Don’t miss this fun new series releasing October 25.

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

View all my reviews

Gone for Gouda review

September 28, 2022 Tari Hann

This is the second book in the Cheese Shop Mysteries by Korina Moss. It’s got lots of twists and fun red herrings as Willa chases down yet another wily killer, but if she’s not careful she might get herself and her pals taken out in the process. I love her friendship with Baz and how she’s always trying to help him get a girlfriend. This time his heart was set on Ginger who was dating someone else. And of course, he wasn’t having it that Ginger just might be one of the many suspects. See what happens in this newest installment that just came out yesterday.

If you’ve finished this and you’re eager for the next book, we don’t have to wait a year because the next book, Curds of Prey looks to be scheduled to release March 28, 2023. That’s the Goodreads link by the way, but you can go from that page to pre-order.

#StMartinsPaperbacks #KorinaMoss

My Goodreads review:

Gone for Gouda by Korina Moss
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It was fun visiting with Willa and her employees/friends as they investigated the death of a visiting chef author who turned out to not exactly be what she claimed (and everyone who met her soon found out she over-praised people to get them to do stuff for her). Poor Willa was counting on the extra income and publicity she’d get from hosting the woman, but all she ended up with was a bunch of extra food and expense she’d gone to.

At times the storyline seemed to drag a bit, but then something a little more exciting happened. I guess it’s kinda like real life cases that just from reading these books anyone can learn they don’t go as fast as on TV, lol, so maybe it’s just a dose of reality when it gets a touch slow.

Willa’s got an awesome bestie in Baz (who only lets Mrs. Schultz call him Basil lol), but I honestly don’t know which I prefer for her, Roman or Heath. I guess I’m not over the moon about either guy so maybe that’s why. But we don’t have to wait super long for another book because Curds of Prey, book 3 comes out March 2023.

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

View all my reviews