Snuffling Up Bones by DonnaRae Menard

Thank you to the authors, publishers, and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. The recipe review and food pairing found on my Instagram feed are of my own doing. 

Snuffling Up Bones
A Pig and I Mystery
DonnaRae Menard

If you are a fan of cozy mysteries that revolve around saving animals, then this new release is going to be your new favorite. Introducing Doris Flynn, a recent widow and a woman with an amazing amount of love for all animals great and small.  I am not kidding when I say great, because the biggest animal on the property is a 450-pound Hampshire pig named Buttercup Belle. If you have ever seen The Ugly Dachshund, then you know that a big dog can think of itself as a little dog or even a lap dog. The same appears to be true for Buttercup. She is trained much like a dog, and she behaves, much like a dog.  There is one difference, Buttercup responds to singing cues and she will even join in at times. Just wait until you get to the Buttercup bathing scene of the book, you will laugh out loud.  

In addition to Doris, is her daughter, Melanie who has moved home as a result of developing MS and the loss of her dad, Ian. Ian died almost a year ago of a heart attack. I have to wonder if there isn’t the possibility of a future story arc regarding Ian’s death. Front and center to this story are two head strong as well as heart strong ladies and one rather large farm complete with two family dogs, one really big pig, chickens, one dog getting prepped for a new home, and a full cattery (eight cats I think). I feel tired just reading about all the work that Doris does and that doesn’t even include cleaning the house or the sleuthing that she starts after Buttercup snuffles up some bones on a hiking trail behind the homestead. I can completely relate to Doris and her desire to do ANYTHING besides cleaning the house.  

Not only is this an interesting story because of Buttercup’s part in finding the bones, but also because there are so many truly human or real aspects, like Melanie’s MS, and Rose Anne’s job as the medicolegal investigator, which is an occupation that I have not come across in my mystery reading. I also liked that Doris has a good working relationship with Sheriff Neddel, the new, and somewhat attractive, guy in town. The mystery is so interesting that I found it difficult to put the book down. The suspects are plentiful and there is gossip aplenty. Between bigotry and a lost memory this mystery gets more mysterious and even a little bit dangerous. I was bouncing between subjects up until the reveal and I didn’t come close to guessing the whole plot line.  I do hope that this one becomes a series.

.

The Potting Shed Murder : Hill House Vintage Murder Mysteries by Paula Sutton

Thank you to the authors, publishers, and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. The recipe review and food pairing found on my Instagram feed are of my own doing. 

The Potting Shed Murder
Hill House Vintage Murder Mysteries
Paula Sutton
Renegade Books

Daphne Brewster, shoot producer for the Stylish Home magazine, has had enough of the hustle and bustle of inner-city London, not to mention the crime, and has relocated with her husband James, daughter Immy, and twin sons Archie and Flynn to the quiet town of Pudding Corner near Pepperbridge. Where it seems that "death, murder, secrets and betrayals were all wrapped up in the bucolic beauty of a village nestled within fields and country air." This was an excellent series starter for the Hill House Vintage Murder Mysteries series. With a few chapters that are multiple points of view and flashbacks, you get a story within a story, within a story.

Daphne is a strong character, but also kindhearted with a desire to defend the excluded and overlooked. She has no need to climb a social ladder like Marianne Forbes or try to be in the good graces of Augusta Papplewick, school headmaster's wife. Those two are a couple of mean gals. Daphne, on the other hand, really doesn’t care what the locals think and chooses to befriend Minerva Leek, a Wiccan who may have grown up in the small town and is a local, but because she is different, she is considered an outcast. These characters are so well described, and their emotions are so strong that you become engrossed in the story. There is a "mean girl," a quiet recluse, a frustrated housewife, and a couple of gossip gals. On the more positive side, Daphne and James’s children have adjusted quite well and made a friend of a young boy named Silver, the son of Minerva Leek. With the lower cost of living, Daphne is able to be a stay-at-home mom but finds that she has a knack and a creative flair for refinishing furniture and creating wonderful and decorative pieces. There is even an available storefront for the newly nicknamed Vintage Lady to conduct her new business venture. I like how Daphne is given an outlet for her creative nature. Her husband, James, would rather she didn’t find an outlet for her curious nature.    

This was a mystery that kept me guessing. Every suspect has motive and opportunity to have visited the headmaster while he relaxed in his happy place. Each personal story that Daphne collects/learns is like a puzzle piece and a picture begins to take shape, and then Daphne discovers another clue that changes everything. Every suspect has motive and opportunity to have visited the headmaster while he relaxed in his happy place. This is going to be a most excellent series that has inspired me to look up a recipe for Jamaican Ginger Cake, so stay tuned.

Murder Runs in the Family by Tamara Berry

Thank you to the authors, publishers, and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. The recipe review and food pairing found on my Instagram feed are of my own doing. 

Murder Runsin the Family
Tamara Berry
Poisoned Pen Press

Tamara Berry has crafted yet another thoroughly entertaining cozy and I hope this is the start of a new and sassy series. The main character, Amber decides that her life needs a new direction, so she heads to Arizona to find the grandma she was never allowed to meet because according to Moonbeam Effervescence aka Effie, aka Amber’s mom, Grandma Judith aka Jade, is the most selfish person who ever existed and is not to be spoken of or to. How could an inquisitive almost official PI not want to solve that mystery?    

The last thing Amber expected was to discover that her wayward grandma was also the creator of Death Comes Calling, a podcast that she has listened to for the last three years on stakeouts with Bones. Bones, the EX-boyfriend, make sure you understand that he is the EX-boyfriend, is a former Navy Seal, animal loving, official private investigator, and a Neanderthal. I am not sure how Amber doesn’t lose it every time he calls her “babe,” but I do understand why she decided it was time to move on from the role of girlfriend/secretary/underling.

There is more than meets the eyes when it comes to grandma Jade’s posse, shifty septuagenarians, who double as the podcast crew. As she follows the clues we start to see more than what is on the surface. I enjoyed the great introspection by Amber as she analyzes how she seems to be the black sheep in her family but apparently the truth is that it just skipped a generation. Amber’s family isn’t exactly warm and fuzzy which pulls on your heartstrings. In addition to looking inward, Amber starts to really look at Jade’s friends. They are definitely more than just a couple of retirees who spend time baking croissants, taking and placing bets, possibly hacking into the local servers, or playing hide the turtle (no that is not a euphemism). Who would have guessed that you could use Nextdoor to report pet sightings.   

There is one person whom Amber has some difficulty getting to know, Ethan Adler, a guy too young to be in retirement, turns out he is recuperating from a hip surgery. Do I detect a little interest on Amber’s part?

Just wait until you get to the solution to this mystery. I was reading it and shaking my head. I had to read it twice because the first time I literally said “wait…what…no way!” Unless I am mistaken, the next book was tee’d up at the conclusion of this one and I can’t wait to see if PI Amber is in fact able to find Ethan the vet.

Death on a Serving Board : A Charcuterie Shop Mystery by JC Eaton

Thank you to the authors, publishers, and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. The recipe review and food pairing found on my Instagram feed are of my own doing. 

Death on a Serving Board
A Charcuterie Shop Mystery
JC Eaton
Level Best Books  

This was my first time reading a book from the Charcuterie Shop Mystery series. I have been a fan of JC Eaton for a while and can be found laughing out loud over the chaos that is often associated with both the Wine Trail mysteries and the Sophie Kimball mysteries. I am not surprised that Death on a Serving Board delivered on all cozy aspects including comedy that I have come to expect from this amazing husband and wife writing team. 

The first thing you notice about this book is the cover art. Who could have guessed that a charcuterie board could be so artful, or that teaching a class of adult students on how to create such a masterpiece would drive a person to drink. Char-Board owner Katie Aubrey thought it would be a great idea, increase business for the café, maybe even find a possible part time server. What she found was a headache and a dead body. Well she didn't find the body. Actually there was two bodies and while she didn't find either of them they are way too close for comfort both figuratively and literally. Katie is spurred on to sleuth by her ghost of a roommate, food critic, Edith Ellory. The house that Katie is renting came with the usual rental items and the former owner, Edith. While you don't have to read the two previous books to have a good idea of the who, what, where, and when, but I am most likely going to binge read them very soon.  Edith is not a ghost for the faint of heart. She likes to pop up in a swirl of colored haze and drive Katie crazy. And crazy is what people are going to start thinking about Katie if she doesn't get a handle on talking back to Edith since no one can hear their conversations, well not both sides of it. People often tell Katie that she looks like she has seen a ghost and while her verbal response is that she is tired or thinking thoughts, what she would really like to say is "yes, seen one, talked to one, yelled at one, you name it." The back and forth with Edith keeps you chuckling and heaven help Katie when time comes to tell Ian. 

While some aspects of work and home drive Katie crazy, there are great aspects of the book that keep her sane. The crew at The Cha-Board, Javie, Matt, and Lilly-Ann are ready and willing to work hard and support Katie when she is hatching a plan or "The Plan." Katie also gets support and a little extra from aspiring chef Ian Monroe whom she has been seeing for a few months now and couldn't be happier. Ian is willing to actually go looking for clues with Katie which is HUGE in  my book. The couple that sleuths together stays (alive) together. As with any good cozy, there is also a canine companion by the name of Speedbump, a laid back beagle that also came with the rental. To round out this cast is local law enforcement, Deputy Vincent, not a fan of Katie's poking but also not a combatant either. Which is good because Katie and crew do a great job of finding and sharing the clues. The multiple death mystery with a touch of robbery cold case kept my attention, the red herrings kept me guessing, and the charcuterie directions have inspired me to make my own treat laden board.  

Killing Me Soufflé : A Bakeshop Mystery by Ellie Alexander

Thank you to the authors, publishers, and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. The recipe review and food pairing found on my Instagram feed are of my own doing.  

Killing Me Soufflé
A Bakeshop Mystery
Ellie Alexander
Minotaur Books

This new addition to the Bakeshop Mystery series has Jules and family taking a trip to the coast to help Steph and Sterling during the grand reopening  of the SeaBreeze Bistro located on the stunning Oregon coast at the Whaleshead resort. The resort holds fond memories for Jules, times when she was a child and would enjoy the surf and the sand with her parents. Jules and Carlos can may have a difficult time trying to imagine bringing their children. The resort looks like it hasn’t been updated or maintained since Jules last long ago visit as a child. The bistro on the other hand, has been given a new coat of paint, some updated accents and a temptingly tasty menu. 

One of my favorite things about the Bakeshop Mystery series is the amazing food and the generosity of Ellie Alexander to share many of those recipes with readers. I decided several books ago that I did not need cookbooks anymore since I have so many culinary cozies. In addition to the recipes at the end of the stories, the characters, mainly Jules, actually explain the processes, like how to make the chocolate soufflés. That is the recipe which I am most looking forward to giving a try.        

As with the other installments in this series, Lance; Jules BFF, has a flair for drama and what appears to be an inability to not snoop. He often gets Jules involved in the “sussing out” of clues when a mystery is afoot…not that she really needs much of a push or pull to get caught up in an instigation. Truth be told it is better to sleuth as a dynamic duo than to go it alone. Especially in this mystery. Almost everyone who is a suspect has what appears to be some serious anger issues. Erik, the resort’s manager, whom no one likes because of his acerbic attitude, I didn’t even like him so it makes perfect sense that he is the victim. No one seemed to miss him, not Hoff the handyman, nor Travis the seafood supplier who is acting fishy. Mary Beth Wells the artist in resident had some really colorful thing to say about Erik.     

The reveal snuck up on me while I was still trying to get the facts, clues, and motives straight. All in all it was another fun and entertaining mystery with characters who are like friends. Friends who make you laugh, make you tear up, and make you hungry. I am really looking forward to when Jules and Carlos welcome their new little bundles of joy. I can only imagine how spoiled they are going to be by uncles Lance and his partner Arlo. So many wonderful things to look forward to in the next book.

Fondue or Die : A Cheese Shop Mystery by Korina Moss

Thank you to the authors, publishers, and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. The recipe review and food pairing found on my Instagram feed are of my own doing. 

Fondue or Die
A Cheese Shop Mystery
Korina Moss
St. Martin’s Paperbacks 

Where in the world is cheesemonger Willa Bauer? In book five of the Cheese Shop Mysteries, Willa has left her shop Curds & Whey located in Yarrow Glen and is taking part in the Dairy Days Festival in Lockwood. In addition to having a booth at the festival she and Archie have volunteered to help with the Miss Dairy pageant.  

Being a fan of detective Heath, I am super excited that he and Willa are working together. Since the murder takes place out of his jurisdiction, it isn’t his investigation that Willa and Team Cheese are trying to solve. Willa isn’t stepping on his Detective Heath’s toes, but she is butting heads with Chief Womack who seems to be hiding something and has Mrs. Schultz on his suspect list. How anyone could even think for the briefest of seconds that Mrs. Schultz had anything to do with the death of Nadine the pageant director. Not that she goes out of her way to be difficult. AJ JDJDJ, now he is another story altogether but he and Willa have an understanding, a quid pro quo, as it were.

Speaking of difficult people, Nadine is not anyone's favorite person. She is not popular with the participants or their mothers. Nadine has high expectations and takes the pageant very seriously, unlike Grace Kelp, journalist for the Lockwood Weekly who is reporting on the misogynistic aspects of the contest and her call to have shut down. Fiona, the number-one seller of Becky's Bakeware and pageant judge is butting heads with Nadine. Nadine's cousin Mary Ann is beside herself with the loss of Nadine, but she is keeping a stiff upper lip in order to honor Nadine and the pageant. There are a lot of clues, most of which Chief Womack seems to be ignoring which puts Willa on high alert and she manages to get Heath to work with her while taking his suggestions for safety.   

I really liked reading how Willa and Heath worked as well together as Team Cheese. Maybe, just maybe...I am team Heath all the way and love a happy ending. The clues were well placed and I didn't figure out the mystery until the big reveal. After enjoying this stand-alone Cheese Shop Mystery, I was enticed into doing a little internet search for interesting beauty pageants and came upon the garlic festival beauty pageant so the idea of a cheese sponsored pageant is not such a stretch. Another well written and highly enjoyable cozy and the best part is that there are recipes at the end of the story so you aren't salivating for nothing while enjoying the book. I took time to make and enjoy the Extra-Cheesy Alfredo and I encourage everyone to give it a try.

Trouble is Brewing : A Tea By the Sea Mystery by Vicki Delaney

Thank you to the authors, publishers, and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. The recipe review and food pairing found on my Instagram feed are of my own doing. 

Trouble is Brewing
Tea by the Sea Mystery #5
Vicki Delaney
Kensington Cozies

Book four of the tea by the sea mysteries reads like a stand-alone and set in NCNCN in a tea house with an incredible backdrop that includes a lovely BnB. The tea house is set in the sort of backdrop that would be perfect for outside events, such as weddings and bridal showers. 

The bride and groom, Hannah Hill and Greg Reynolds, are a lovely couple and the mother of the bride was a hard working single mom who is doing her best to keep the peace and support her daughter. The same can not be said of the groom's parents and sister. The Reynolds, Ralph and Sophia are snooty when it comes to Hannah and her mother Jenny. It turns out that Jenny and Ralph Reynold had been involved once upon a time before she married Max Hill and had Jenny.  It probably doesn't help that the older Mrs. Reynolds, Ralph's mother and the not too kind mother-in-law to Sophia still runs the family business or rather, she tells Ralph and Greg's brother, Ivan what to do and not in the kindest of ways. Greg's sister, Mackenzie, finds it entertaining to stir pots and add fuel to fires. No one is happy and it seems like this wedding is might not happen in spite of the very loving and lovely couple. All in all there are a lot of people who would make for great suspects. The drama is crazier than day time TV but the afternoon tea is full of sweet and savory treats expertly described. This cozy keeps you turning pages as emotions go up and down causing eye rolls, chuckles, hurrumphing, and indignation over the flirty machinations of a bridesmaid.  

As usual I enjoy the back and forth between Rose and Edna over Edna's duties as the B & B breakfast waitress, which did not include acting the maid to Rose. Equally entertaining are the hijinks that Rose and Bernie engage in while hot on the trail of they mysteries in each book. I am a little sad that it is now time for Simon to return back across the pond to England instead of staying with but I also know that Rose needs to take a trip and that Lily will be going with her. I also take consolation in the sweet treat recipe for Maple Pecan Squares that go very well with afternoon tea which I can enjoy while waiting for the next Tea by the Sea Mystery set to release later this year.