Cozy Mystery

Curses, Boiled Again (Lobster Shack Mystery #1) by Shari Randall

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curses boiled again

Pages: 309 (eBook)

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Published: January 30, 2018

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Allie has come home to her Aunt Gully in Mystic Bay while healing from a broken ankle. While home, she helps her aunt out at The Lazy Mermaid cracking lobsters and serving up the most delicious lobster rolls around. For the first time in the local festival’s history they are partnering up with YUM Productions and hosting the Best Lobster Roll contest. Unfortunately, before the judge’s can get to Aunt Gully’s lobster roll the judge’s are taken sick and one dies. Will Aunt Gully go down for the crime or can Allie prove who is the real killer?

This is a fantastic start to a new series. You will fall in love with Allie and Aunt Gully from the start. Aunt Gully is a hoot. Nothing and I mean nothing gets this women down. She puts on her happy face everyday and thinks of ways to fill people’s tummies with her yummy lobster roll and hot. creamy chowder. I am telling you I wanted to crawl into the book and have some myself.

Allie is spunky and loves her Aunt Gully more than life itself. She will let nothing stop her from proving her aunt’s innocence. As for Allie’s sister, Lorel, the jury is still out on how I feel about her. She got on my nerves always having her head stuck in her phone and constantly thinking of ways to promote The Lazy Mermaid. I understand that is her job but sometimes you have to put the phone down and your job on hold to take care of family.

I am so excited to learn that the second book comes out in July 2018. I have already marked it on Amazon to watch for it to be released.

Hurry, stop by The Lazy Mermaid and see what I am talking about as I think you will enjoy your visit as much as I did.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a copy to read in exchange for my honest review in my own words.

Purring Around the Christmas Tree (A Pawsitively Organic Mystery #6) by Liz Mugavero

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purring around the christmas tree

Pages: 298 (eBook)

Publisher: Kensington

Published: September 26, 2017

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Santa’s dead?! This is how the Christmas season starts for Stan, the owner of the pet patisserie in Frog Ledge, Connecticut. Instead of having her grand opening she finds herself smack down in the middle of a murder, two missing persons and vandalism. Will Stan solve the mysteries in her sleepy town before Christmas is ruined along with her business?

A “purringly” good read. I may have started with the newest release but I was able to follow along “purrfectly”. I did not need to start another series but I am glad I found this one. Stan is the main character that you find yourself wishing you were. Strong, confident, and energized. I liked she was not wishy washy with her life decisions. It was great not to read about a love triangle involving the main character. Now I may read the earlier books and find one but it will not bother as bad as some do as I know who she is with eventually.

This book read so real life when discussing and trying to solve the crimes. Very rarely in real life are crimes straight forward and the answer handed to you. This mystery has many layers that need to be peeled and examined.

Purring Around the Christmas Tree is the perfect book to curl up with your favorite four footed friend on a cold winter’s night.

Historically Dead (A Stitch in Time Mystery #2) by Greta McKennan

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historically dead

Pages: 224

Publisher: Kensington/Lyrical Underground

Published: December 19, 2017

The second book in A Stitch in Time Mystery series is as great as the first. The main character, Daria, is still trying to get her sewing business that focuses on historical clothing off the ground. She has agreed to sew dresses and curtains for the owners of Compton Hall so they can appear in the TV show My House in History. As Daria goes to get the drawings of curtains from the resident professor she finds him bludgeoned to death. Once again Daria is unable to stay out of the investigation. Can Daria solve the murder before another one happens?

The sisters of Compton Hall are a trip. You have Ruth, who is a very unhappy person with just clause. Her oldest son disappeared many years ago and is feared dead, her husband died a fire that destroyed their home and she was acquitted of his murder. Her younger sister, Priscilla, who sees the happy and good in everyone. She lives her life pretty simple. They are as opposite of one another as you can get.

I cannot put my finger on why this series grips me so but it does. It may be her determination to pick up the pieces from a broken engagement and move on with her life. It takes a strong woman to rent a room to a stranger that is the lead singer of the Twisted Armpits. She takes in her brother who got off onto the path of drugs and destruction and helps him find his way again with unconditional love.

There is more romance in the second book of the series. You have Daria and McCarthy, the local newspaper photographer, who are trying to figure out what they are to each other. We also get more of the backstory between Daria and Randall, the ex-fiancé.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review based on my own words.

#HistoricallyDead #NetGalley

A Murder for the Books (A Blue Ridge Library Mystery #1) by Victoria Gilbert

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a murder for the books

Pages: 352

Publisher: Crooked Lane Books

Published: December 12, 2017

Amy has moved to Taylorsford, Virginia to be the head librarian and help her aunt who recently suffered a bad fall. By moving, it allows her time to heal from a disastrous relationship and not worry about love for a bit, or so she thinks. Her aunt’s next door neighbor, Richard, has enlisted the help of Amy, as a neighbor and the town librarian to help him uncover the truth of his family’s past. While beginning their search they discover a local resident dead in the library archives. Now Amy has found herself spending even more with Richard to solve the murder. Will sparks fly between Richard and Amy or will the murders stop it before it begins?

Book one in the Blue Ridge Library Mysteries feels more than a cozy mystery. The story has a lot of what I like to call “meat”. You can sink your teeth into this story and read for chunks of time. You have a several side mysteries within the main mystery which all are very intriguing. The characters are well rounded and full of life.

Amy is a real girl in she is a little overweight and has insecurities about it. She feels like her failed relationship is her fault and fights with that quite frequently. She is slowly gaining self-confidence back with the help of her loving Aunt Lydia.

I am curious to see how this series progresses. I am always up for series that involve libraries, bookstores, books, etc.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an ARC in exchange for a review based on my own honest opinion.

A Deadly Éclair by Daryl Wood Gerber

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a deadly eclair

Pages: 320

Publisher: Crooked Lane Books

Published: November 7, 2017

A yummy start to a new cozy series, A French Bistro Mystery.

After the death of her husband, Mimi has opened a French restaurant and inn in the heart of Napa Valley with the help of a close friend. During her first big event, her close friend is murdered. Mimi is heartbroken and promises to find his killer. As she works with her close knit staff to keep her customers happy, she investigates the murder as well as her future love life. Will Mimi find the killer or will the killer find her first?

The scenery descriptions are great. I felt like I was in Napa Valley sitting right there with Mimi, Jo and Heather eating the delicious food Chef C prepared. I’ve learned that I need to learn more about French food. When the author gives the French name for the dish I was happy she continued with the description if what it was the diners were eating.

I will be looking for the second book in the series.

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for a review based on my own thoughts and put in my own words.

The Secret, Book and Scone Society by Ellery Adams

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the secret book scone society.jpg

Pages: 290

Publisher: Kensington Books

Published: October 31, 2017

I have four new friends in Nora, Hester, June and Estella. If I could I would be taking a trip to Miracle Springs, North Carolina and eating scones while reading a book after I spent the day at the spa. I found myself not finishing the last nine pages right away because I knew it would it end my visit with my friends.

I would recommend this book to everyone whether you have a read a cozy mystery or not. As the author, Ellery Adams, mentioned it is a little edgier than her other cozies and it is wonderful. You will find yourself crying with the characters, cheering them on and wishing they were real.

All four women have experienced a trauma of some sort in their lives. The trauma has made them the strong woman they are today. Nora is the local bookstore owner who has a knack for picking out the books that you need to make you feel better or help you overcome a trauma in your life. As she is getting ready to meet a gentleman from earlier in the day, Estella comes running in with news. Nora’s guest was just hit by the train. Was it a suicide or murder? The four women find themselves becoming fast friends and sharing their own secrets with each other in order to determine what happened.

There are a lot of book references throughout the book and I have found my TBR pile growing. My favorite quote of the book is Chapter 17 and is from Ray Bradbury: “You’ve got the jump off cliffs and build your wings on the way down.”

I would suggest you go ahead and put your copy of this book on hold with your favorite bookseller. Don’t plan on doing anything else when you start reading, you are not going to want to stop.

Thank you to Ellery Adams for an advanced copy in exchange for a review based on my own opinions and written in my own words.

Death Overdue (A Haunted Library Mystery) by Allison Brook

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death overdue

Pages: 336

Publisher: Crooked Lane Books

Published: October 10, 2017

I rarely read books with paranormal characters but I’m pleased I gave Death Overdue a try. It was a real treat to read.

Carrie has been working at the local library and living with her aunt and uncle. As she contemplates moving on to the next exciting town, she is offered a full-time permanent position as the P and E librarian. While getting in the swing of her new job she meets Evelyn, the resident ghost librarian. Carrie’s first program is a retired police officer who discusses the case of the murdered librarian. During his presentation he keels over dead from an apparent poisoning. Will Carrie get spooked before she even has a chance at this job?

I was impressed that there was only a small love triangle and that it did not take center stage. I’m interested to see how the author builds Carrie’s romantic life. My fingers are crossed for a certain landlord.

This is a straight cozy mystery with little to no foul language, no sex scenes and no grisly, murder scenes. I’m definitely looking forward to the second book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an advance copy for a review based on my own honest opinion.

Twelve Slays of Christmas by Jacqueline Frost

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twelve slays of xmas

Pages: 320

Publisher: Crooked Lane Books

Published: October 10, 2017

Christmas is supposed to be filled with love and magic no matter your age but Holly has returned home to Mistletoe as a jilted bride and a murder to solve. On the eve of the Reindeer Games Holly finds the local historical society grouch dead in a sleigh on her parents Christmas tree farm which also hosts the twelve days of the Reindeer Games. Can Holly solve the murder and save the Reindeer Games all before Christmas?

Holly is a very likeable and realistic character. She has spunk when it comes to searching for clues to solve the murder and is cautious with her heart after realizing her fiancé did her a favor when he called off the wedding two weeks prior to the big day. She doesn’t let that get her down and out. She throws herself into helping around the Christmas tree farm and making the Reindeer Games as successful as ever.

In interested in learning more about the Sheriff as the series goes on. He sounds like a catch but will the local newspaper photographer sometimes reporter nose his way in on the possible romance between Holly and the Sheriff?

Grab a mug of cocoa and curl up in front of the fire and let the Christmas spirit envelope you as you read the first in a new series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an ARC in exchange for a review based on my own honest opinion.

Assaulted Caramel by Amanda Flower

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assaulted caramel.jpg

Pages: 352

Publisher: Kensington

Published: August 29,2017

Grab your favorite box of chocolates and curl up in your most comfy chair. You will be craving the most ooey gooey confections you can dream of while you read about Bailey’s adventures in Holmes County, Ohio.

Bailey has fled NYC at the most critical point in her career to check on her Daadi (grandfather) after a phone call from her Maami (grandmother) stating he was not doing well. As Bailey arrives she sees her Daadi and another man exchanging words and her Daadi collapsing on the sidewalk. She learns that the other man is Tyson Colton and he wants to buy her Daadi’s building where he owns and runs Swissmen Sweets. Later that night Bailey finds Tyson dead in the kitchen of Swissmen’s with her Daadi’s prized fudge knife through his chest. Can Bailey clear her and her grandparents of the murder before she has to return NYC and claim her job as head chocolatier for JP Chocolates?

I am so excited for this new series by one of my favorite cozy authors. Her knowledge and love of the Amish shine through her writing. I can always guarantee when I read one of her books I will gain new friends. Bailey and her grandparents warm their way into your heart by the end of chapter one. You want to jump into the story and help Bailey find the killer.

I an idea of the killer’s identity but was completely taken by surprise when the killer was revealed. That right there makes it a great cozy. I will put this warning out there: grab some tissues as you will need them. I was not expecting to bawl like a baby.

The second book, Lethal Licorice, comes out on February 27,2018 and you can bet I will be reading at 12:01am when it downloads to my kindle.

Tempest in a Teapot by Amanda Cooper (A Teapot Collector Mystery #1)

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tempest in a teapot

Pages: 304

Publisher: Berkley

Published: June 3, 2014

Sophie has decided to move to her grandma’s in upstate New York after her restaurant fizzles and help her grandma with her tearoom. Next door one time best friend of grandma Rose, Thelma has opened her own tearoom with limited success. While Thelma is hosting an engagement tea for her granddaughter, the future mother in law is murdered. Sophie decides to investigate while getting reacquainted with her summer friends.

I enjoyed this book and want to continue reading the series but I’m sure you are wondering why 3.5 stars? It starts out quick and ends spectacularly but the middle was a tad sluggish. A few times my interest was not there.

Sophie is a very likable character and feels like someone you would run into on the street. She’s caring and doesn’t appear to be hung up on herself. She is just trying to figure out her life after the devastating blow of closing her restaurant.

I am left with one question: what ever happened to the dead mother in law’s cat?