Solid Gold Murder: Golden Motel Mysteries #2 By Ellen Byron

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.

Solid Gold Murder: The Golden Motel Mysteries #2
Ellen Byron
Kensington Cozies

There’s gold in them thar hills or at least near the Golden Motel. Dee and Jeff, co-owners of the historic Golden Motel are playing host to eager beaver, would be gold miners, who are panning in the river and taking peeks into the old, condemned mines. A tax accountant who would like to be retired and even a Silicon Valley tech millennial are hoping to cash in on gold rush 2.0.

This is the second book in the Golden Motel Mysteries series book, and it easily takes up where the series starter finished. Don’t worry if you haven’t read the starter because there is plenty of backstory AND the mystery isn’t shared so you can go back and enjoy A Very Woodsy Murder as well. The same unusual characters are back, and they are just as gosh darn entertaining. Whoops, I need to add a quarter to the “old timey word” jar. I especially like the tumultuous back and forth between Dee and Verity “Yes-that-Donner” Gillespie. Imagine sleeping in a tent on the edge of your property just to prove a point to be able to participate in a local vendor event.

As usual, the story has you snorting from Jeff and Dee’s sleuthing shenanigans, not to mention Dee’s sassy but sweet and fun attitude. There are multiple plots that weave in and out of each other to keep you guessing. The misdirection is masterful and I cannot wait to see what Ellen has for us next. While this might not be a culinary cozy, Ellen is kind enough to include a tasty treat recipe, Nutty Almond Date Bars is the bonus recipe included at the conclusion. These bars are both easy to make and consume. I wonder if this can be counted as part of my daily fruit intake.

Star-Crossed Egg Tarts: A Magical Fortune Cookie Novel by Jennifer J. Chow

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.

Star-Crossed Egg Tarts 
A Magical Fortune Cookie Novel
Jennifer J. Chow
Minotaur Books

Be careful what you wish for because you just may get it. Felicity Jin grew up without her father; in fact, her mother never spoke of him so of course Felicity has had questions. With her newly awakened talent for infusing joy and prophecy into her fortune cookies she wonders if this unusual “gift,” could be from her father. Ah but that is only part of the mystery, and Felicity will need more than just her special skills, her ability to bake, her friend Kelvin, and her magic bunny to get to the bottom of the murder. 

On the plus side, this time there is no real reason for Felicity to get involved. She catered a wedding, she didn’t really know any of the people involved. But then an unexpected connection between Kelvin’s dad and the victim is discovered, and once again she is pulled into sleuthing. Thankfully she has a semi-working relationship with Detective Rylan Sun and while she is dangerously close to interfering with the investigation she also manages to help. There are plenty of suspects with plenty of secrets that Felicity is very good at ferreting out with the aid of cookies and sweet treats.

The subplot is well constructed and adds another layer of mystery that explains more of Felicity’s family history and gives an excellent backstory of the Jin family’s gift. The deep dive into the colorful A few of the story ends are tied off but not so many that this series is finished. In fact, things are just starting to heat up between Kelvin and Felicity, and I can’t wait to see what the dynamic duo solve next. In the meantime, I will make Auspicious Almond Cookies from the recipe found at the back of the book. Both this book and the series starter come complete with a baking recipe, a candle related craft, and floral craft as an extra cozy aspect to an enjoyable series.  

Murder at Cape Costumers: Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery by Maddie Day

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 at Cape Costumers
Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery 
Maddie Day

Maddie Day once again gives us a cozy with real life situations that challenge the reader to redefine the term "cozy." Mac/Mackenzie Almeida, our sleuth is the owner of Mac's Bikes, wife to Tim of Greta’s Grains Bakery and a member of the Cozy Capers Book Group. Mac has a knack for getting involved in murder investigations and this time is no different and as always, she has the book club to help her collect clues and work together like a well-oiled machine. The victim, a recent transplant and former Broadway actor, is the unfortunate victim. Enzo was found the day after Halloween and still in his skeleton costume. Was it love’s cruel sting that did him in or maybe plain and simple greed.

Mac is going to need all the help she can get because this time around, the subplot includes a visit from Tim’s sister, Jamie who is a recovering alcoholic, and her two young children. The plot twist is that Jamie goes missing. Small spoiler alert, this is a hard topic to read about as alcohol addiction and recovery is not fiction and the emotions created by this story can be challenging. I found myself tearing up more often than chuckling. One might even go as far as to say that the murder is a good distraction for Mac and the reader. Mac does not like messy, she is a bit of an OCD personality so taking care of precocious five-year-old Ella, baby Luca, could be considered a challenge. Fortunately, Mack loves kids and would do anything to help Tim. Mac’s family is just as helpful as they do their part to pitch in and help with Ella and Luca when needed.

This mystery was well plotted and the clues kept me guessing and questioning my suppositions. I am always impressed by how meticulous the books group members are when it comes to doling out tasks and reporting back to the group text thread. I also found it entertaining that several of Mac's friends were involved in a pickleball league, with some competitive players who may or may not be suspects. The only thing that I felt sure of was the support and love that Mac’s friends and families show to each other and that regardless of how everything turned out, Belle the bird was still going to want snacks (LOL). Speaking of food, there are some great recipes at the end of the story including a recipe for Halloween Muffins that are healthy little pumpkin cakes that are perfect for breakfast or as a snack.  

A Brew For Chaos: Enchanted Bay Mysteries #3 by Esme Addison

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

A Brew For Chaos
Enchanted Bay Mysteries #3
Esme Addison

Welcome to Bellamy Bay, North Carolina where they are preparing for Octoberfest and a beer competition. Newspaper editor Jonah Fox is set to unveil his prizewinning brew that is so good, it must be magical. So, is that why someone killed him? Was it to get the recipe or is there something more insipid in the works? Perhaps it is tied to the cold case involving missing girls and the mysterious Fisherman. In this third book, there is a slight thriller feel and a bit more paranormal activity to enhance the magical aspects of the mermaid storyline. Like the two books that came before, this one is also a stand-alone cozy with a touch of paranormal.  Aleksandra has settled into her new town with the help of her aunt Lidia and cousins Minka and Kamila who have Mer DNA just like Alex. She is continuing to learn about her healing abilities and to work on her relationship with detective Jack Frazier.  Ms. Addison has done a wonderful job of infusing so much emotion into this story that I felt myself getting ill with Jack's half-truth's and narrowed viewpoint, while at the same time, I want the happy ending for Alex.  

This story takes an unexpected turn with the introduction of real mermaids and government testing that has been kept secret for far too long. There are bits of danger, and misdirection as well as well laid clues that form a picture that is still missing a piece or two. Alex is getting closer to closure related to her mother's disappearance and she has to make some tough decisions. The theme of family and doing what is right versus doing what you are told or scared into thinking what is right. has been woven throughout the story. 

It hurt my heart that what I hoped to be a slow burn has gone up in flames but perhaps there is something or someone else patiently waiting for Alex to be willing to take a chance. I enjoyed this latest edition of the Enchanted Bay Mystery series and was inspired to make potato pancakes with polska kielbasa. I even found a beer brewed by the Coronado Brewing Company that features a mermaid as their logo.

 

Yule Regret It: A Northwoods Mysteries #4 by Annie McEwan

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. 

Yule Regret It
Northwoods Mysteries Book #4
Annie McEwan

Christmas time, complete with a frozen lake and chilly weather has come to the Coopers Cove Resort located in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Unfortunately, some tempers are running hot, and a cold-hearted killer has “iced” Santa. This is the quintessential Christmas cozy, complete with snowflakes, a Santa, tasty sounding cookies, family togetherness, sweet bits of the slow burn romance, and a dead body. This is book 4 of the Northwoods Mystery series and can be read as a standalone. Our amateur sleuth, Emmylou Cooper, has found a body or two or three since she moved back to work at her family’s rustic resort, but this time there really isn’t a good reason for her to get involved. She is way too busy between Covington’s Christmas Celebration, work at the resort and the usual holiday hustle. She tells Detective Tom that she isn’t getting involved. She tells her family and close friends that she isn’t getting involved. I really think she meant it this time, until her friend Pam is taken in for questioning and asks Emmy to keep an ear out. Can Emmy help it if people open up to her during conversations and tell her things? Not to mention that she has an uncanny ability to be in the right place at both the right and wrong times. Emmy has a bad case of curiosity and Whitney, her bff, does her best to keep Emmy out of trouble, only to be swept up in the thrill of the chase and takes on the role of Watson to Emmy’s Sherlock.    

I adore Emmy and her crew. I like that Emmy has a quirky personality and a tendency to be a tad klutzy which makes her very relatable. She has just enough sass to keep things interesting and a propensity to look at all the possible scenarios when making a list of possible suspects. As with mysteries past, there are plenty to choose from. The victim, Grady, was an ex-con who may or may not have been mistaken for Ray Pickett, the town’s Santa. The town’s gossip gurus know that something is amiss, but Emmy is keeping her “word hole” shut, just like Detective Tom instructed. The colloquialisms are classic! My favorite Emmy-phrase was when she referred to an El Dorado as a mullet car, no offense to the galls’ lifelong friend Marcus with the Mullet.   

If you like a sleuth who could be a part of the Scooby gang, a character who has learned to stand up to bullies, a character who gets the hot cop for a boyfriend, a character who would do anything for a friend, a character who is always quick to share info with the authorities, and has an appreciation for sweet tea, then Emmy is you gal and this series is your jam. Oh, and if you don’t mind cliff hangers, there is one and/or two of those as well.  

Dying to Sell: Hope Street Church Mystery #9 by Ellery Adams & Tina Radcliffe

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.

Dying to Sell
Hope Street Church Mystery #9
Ellery Adams and Tina Radcliffe
Beyond the Page Publishing

The latest Hope Street Church Mystery (book 9) has the bible study group getting involved before the body drop at the behest of Grammy Lee. Cooper Lee, a sweet Southern gal who is part of a bible study group made up of a diverse group from a realtor, plumber, baker, and artist. Cooper is a small business owner having just purchased a store front for selling her repurposed bird houses and other unique bits and bobs. If this is your first time reading one of The Hope Street Church Mysteries, you are in for a pleasant and cozy read. Having said that, this series isn't about unicorns and rainbows, it handles very real issues that can be found anywhere, from a small town to a large city. This time around, Grammy Lee, a VERY feisty active adult who is a hoot-n-half and full of sass, has asked the bible study group to get involved on behalf of a friend, before a body turns up. 

Grammy Lee’s friend, Esme Saldado, is being pressured to put her house on the market by her granddaughter Mary’s unscrupulous fiancé Ronald Fortune, a slick real estate agent and con man. Grammy is pushing Cooper hard to get the bible study group working on the case. Normally the group tippy toes around law enforcement, trying their best to be helpful but they are often reminded to keep out. This time, Detective Olson hasn’t necessarily given approval for the group to snoop but he is open to any information that they come across, and he even volunteered that the Feds are involved. Which means that they, the bible study group, will need to tread cautiously because not all is as it seems.   

This is an uplifting series that has a nice sprinkling of scripture and a great illustration of how important community and family can be, the family that you are born into and the family you choose. All of the main characters add so much to the story and their bible verse discussion is insightful. Cooper isn’t the most confident of characters, she is somewhat self-conscious of her beautiful green glass eye (result of a field hockey accident) that is in contrast to her pale blue eye. All of the characters are well rounded, salt of the earth, caring individuals who often come together and support each other. I like that the group works together instead of one character going off on their own. I also appreciate that Magnolia’s Marvels aka mama Maggie’s recipes are shared at the end of the book. I am making a batch of the Cranberry White Chocolate Cookies to share with my family. Perhaps they can help my craving for the next book which cannot get here soon enough.

Fudge and Marriage: A Candy-Coated Mystery #13 by Nancy Coco

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.

Fudge and Marriage
A Candy-Coated Mystery #13
Nancy Coco
Kensington Cozies

 

Welcome to Mackinac Island, Michigan, the summer playground for tourists who appreciate great fudge, like the kind that Allie McMurphy makes by hand. This is the perfect venue for a wedding, and it looks like most of the islanders have been invited to witness Allie and Officer Rex Manning tie the knot. If only it could be so simple, but this is a cozy mystery so of course there is going to be an unexpected death, but I was not expecting the family drama. A crazy amount of wedding drama…nope not a bridezilla, but there is a heck of a momzilla, and the rest of the bride’s maternal family is not any better. If their noses go any higher in the air, they are going to walk into something. It is hard to believe that Allie is from a blue-blood family because she is so down to earth. I have read most of the books in the series and I did not realize that she could have been a trust fund baby, but instead she followed her dreams and stayed true to herself.

All of the books are standalone mysteries, but it has been interesting and entertaining to watch Allie and the rest of the crew as the characters have developed and “grown”, especially Allie and Rex. Rex has learned that Allie is going to find bodies and that she is going to get involved, it isn’t an if it is always a when. In this case Allie starts sleuthing to keep Carol and Irma, two very sweet mature friends from the local “book club” aka the ladies who help Allie solve murders, from getting involved in the hunt for their friend Velma’s murderer. On the plus side, it does give Allie something to keep her mind off of the chaos that her mother is creating by adding to an already well-planned event. Allie’s BFF Jen, who is a professional event planner has everything well in hand. I am not sure if I was more enthralled by the mystery, clue gathering and suspect questioning or by the crazy family drama. One humorous aspect to the drama is that Allie’s Aunt Ginny is well aware of her niece's past adventures and she wants to be in on the sleuthing and is almost egging her on. Aunt Ginny was a great character for helping to add brevity in the midst of the drama. Oh, and Rex has some family drama of his own as well. 

So many great parts to this cozy and they all work together like cogs in a machine to keep the story going with plenty of clues and red herrings and a very exciting ending. The characters are so well written that you adore the sweet ones and scowl when reading about the contrary ones, Ms. Coco does an excellent job of making the characters real and relatable. She also does a great job of including delicious recipes. I usually make one of her fudge recipes but this time I tried the Caramel No-bake Cookies which were easy to make and tasty to eat. I am looking forward to the next book in the series, Some Like It Fudgy.