Thank you to NetGalley and the various publishing houses for sharing these advanced released copies for review.
Southern Double Cross (A Southern B&B Mystery)
By Caroline Fardig
Published by Alibi
Best Bellandini sisters B&B mystery yet! Quinn gets dragged into yet another murder mystery because she did the right thing. What starts off as a charity event ends in tragedy or at least in murder with a side of larceny and fellow band member Pepper 's brother Parker is left holding the bag containing the bloody and expensive cat statue. Naturally, Pepper demands that Quinn makes it right and get Parker out of jail and off the hook for murder, larceny, well that is another story. Tucker, ever the southern gentleman respects Quinn's need to help but is even more worried this time around because one of the thieves could also be a murderer and the Bellandini sisters are sleuthing in all the scary places. Delilah, or D as Quinn refers to her, has decided that the less savory interviews will be her and Pepper's task, which leaves the social elite for Quinn to deal with, I mean to entertain. Are we sure that the killer is a hoodlum or might it be one of Mag's own frenemies since she seems to be keeping her friends close but her enemies close enough to stab her in the back. This is a great third book for this series and I very much like the blossoming romance and the realness of their disagreement and the way they work things out. Even D gets a taste of romance in this one. It definitely looks like Tucker Heyward is here to stay regardless of his Mother's foolish attempts to spread untruth's about their relationship status or the female sharks aka Savannah's social "sh"elite (debutantes). Best of all, I now have another scone recipe to try out!
Pies Before Guys
By Kristen Weiss
Published by Kensington Books
It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a pie tin UFO! Charlene is a social media genius or a social media madwoman depending on who you ask. Oh but that is not all that Charlene and Val are up to, nope there is, of course, the usual mayhem this time it is in the form of a poetry slam hosted by Pie Town and Abril featuring various Lit department professors which results in a poet sliced. Sliced by his own saber, Professor Michael Starke is no more. Apparently, he was no more a professor, no more a poet, and no more a gentleman since he had a new female TA every year. So who done it? Was it a heart-broken TA, his ex-wife, her current boyfriend who was also a member of the Lit department, could it have been Abril? Of course, it can't be Abril and not just because Val's brother has a bit of a crush and wants Val to do her thing and keep Abril off the cops radar. Speaking of cops...Hunky Detective Gordon Charmichael, Val is convinced that they are in a honeymoon phase and he is looking at her with rose-colored glasses. because he isn't against the Baker Street Bakers meddling/investigating as much as usual. Great next story for this cast, I still can't complete visualize Val's little house but I am glad that she has one. The story was excellent and the red herrings were perfectly served up to keep one guessing as to the outcome. I was even guessing about Val and Gordon but was sure that it would all work out in the end. Cannot wait to make the apple pie recipe with a slight twist, I will be making hand pies.
Egg Drop Dead
By Vivien Chien
Published by St. Martin's Paperbacks
Lana Lee meets Crazy Rich Asians with a dash of homicide and egg drop soup. The Ho-Lee House of Noodles has added catering to its offerings and Lana and the crew gets a look at how the other half lives and how the other half's nanny dies. Oh, and having lots of money just means that your "friends" aren't necessarily mean to you but boy are they gossipy. This time she vows to not get involved but when Donna Feng, owner of the Asian Village and the host for their first catering gig, Lana can't say no. Oddly enough her boyfriend, Detective Adam Trudeau, is not the least bit surprised that she and her roommate Megan are "investigating" and is actually supportive. Of course, this could be because it isn't his case and he doesn't know anyone in the Westlake Police Department. I am really enjoying how the characters are in sync with each other and that Lana's investigating is being taken more seriously by her completely professional detective boyfriend. There are several suspects and Lana and Megan work their way through the list sure that this is not a mob-style problem even if Donna swears up and down that her nanny's death was a warning to her. Lana even gets to work with an honest to goodness P.I. on this one ..and that is as far as I go with regards to spoilers. The only thing that would make this book any better would be to have some recipes waiting for me at the end of the story since I tend to get hungry reading about dim sum Sundays and all the wonderful menu items that Peter makes, or even one of Megan's Zodiac cocktails would be a yummy addition. As always, you don't have to read a previous Lana Lee book to get the awesome flavor of the storyline but as with most Chinese food, a little later you will be wanting more.
Coconut Layer Cake Murder (Hannah Swenson Mystery)
By Joanne Fluke
Published by Kennsington Books
The best part about a Hannah Swenson Cookie Jar mystery is that there are RECIPES! Not just two or three but multitudes! The only problem is that I feel the urge to stop reading and start cooking at the end of various chapters where the recipes are printed. Much like Hannah I feel torn. Of course, I'm torn between the mystery and the cooking while she is torn between Norman and Mike the two love interests who have been there since the early days. Personally, I say that there is no competition as I am a big fan of the dentist. But I digress and should be writing about this new release. Nice storyline! I like that so many people have come to recognize how good Hannah's deductive reasoning skills are and that they are only surpassed by her excellent cooking skills. If Hannah was a real person she is definitely someone you would want in your corner after all, how many people would fly back from sunny southern California at a moment's notice to help find a killer and exonerate their baby sister's boyfriend? Of course part of the draw is that Hannah likes the challenge and quite frankly there just weren't enough detectives to properly handle the investigation because one of their own has been made suspect numero uno. While I have been a huge Hannah Swenson fan for a decade and a half and know the backstories and all the shared drama, it isn't necessary information to be able to be drawn into this plot and keep track of who, what, where, when, or how. Each character had a chance to show you a little something about them so that you can really be immersed in the plot and feel like a part of it. I do believe that this is the first Hannah novel where I actually figured out the who, the why, and at least part of the how before the big reveal. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to get busy trying out the mug cake recipe for my afternoon break at work.
Death By Chocolate Frosted Donut
By Sarah Graves
Published by Kensington Books
Pirates and pompousness descend upon Eastport, Maine for the annual Eastport Pirate Festival. The pirates are everywhere which is good for business at the Chocolate Moose bakery owned and operated by Jake (Jacobia) Tiptree and Ellie White. The pompous part is played by Henry Hadlyme, well-known food authority and TV personality. Hadlyme, much former resident of Eastport is back and making waves by making scornful remarks about several of the local eateries including the Chocolate Moose. To even insinuate that they used carob instead of the finest ingredients was mutinous. His haughty attitude does not help him one but and does nothing but rile up Jake when he dares to show up to tape a podcast segment at the shop. Unfortuneately for Jake and her proclivity to be fiercely protective of her own (business, family, friends, town) a very loud and public scene takes place. Next comes the finding of Hadlyme's dead body, in the Moose's cellar, skewered with Wade's antique cutlass and adorned with Ephraim's plush parrot. Suspect #1 is Jake who is not going down this road again even though her good friend, police chief Bob, does not have her on his list, the State police just might. One thing to know about this book is that you are going to be craving chocolate before the end and wondering just how Jake gets herself into the positions/scrapes that she does. Oh wait, nope you'll quickly realize that she has a partner in crime, or rather crime-solving by was of her best friend and partner Ellie. It seems that there is more than one person who didn't like Hadlyme and they are actually locals. Old history and new motives will be discovered, sort of like the Double-Chocolate Ginger cookies (recipe at the end of the book) who would have though to make a wafer cookie with candied ginger and chocolate. The only thing more mysterious in this story than the sleek black pirate ship named the Jenny is the absence of the recipe for their chocolate donuts. This is a very entertaining story, it has several plot twists and keeps you going right up to the end. You do not have to be familiar with the characters and the author does a nice job of including a few pages of past history for Jake so you can read just how she ended up in Eastport, with the Chocolate Moose, a very large home, and a husband named Wade. Not to mention that any book with recipes is a winner and recipes featuring chocolate is treasure worth searching for.
Dressed Up 4 Murder (Sophie Kimball Mystery #6)
By J.C. Eaton
Published by Kennsington Books
Sketchy seafood and a canine costumes is a backdrop for the latest Sophie "Phee" Kimball mystery. This series has me laughing out loud, between Phee's Mom (Harriet Plunkett) and her dog Streetman and the Booked 4 Murder book group ladies these books are definite page-turners. It starts out with Streetman finding a dead body under the grill in the neighbor's yard, so now Harriet is sure that Streetman is well on his way to being a cadaver dog. Not to mention that Harriet is going to drive Phee crazy until Nate Williams (Phee's former coworker from Minnesota) and Marshall Gregory (also a former coworker and now her boyfriend) of William's Investigations sort the matter out since Harriet is sure the local police detectives are no different than the Keystone Cops. Truth be told, it does seem that they need to consult with William's Investigations more often than not. There are multiple suspects and multiple plots and in the middle of it all is a series of three canine holiday-related fashion shows that could rival the pomp and circumstance of Milan, not to mention the attitudes of the competitors. Thank goodness Phee is level headed and has a very supportive boyfriend to live with who is completely open to her brainstorming the case and coming up with very viable leads. I very much like the different qualities of the characters as well as the interpersonal interactions. This is a light-hearted and fun book much like the ones that came before it.
Murder Makes Scents
By Christin Brecher
Published by Kensington Books
I was really curious as to how the author was going to get Stella involved in a Parisian murder mystery. As it turns out, Stella and Millie brought a mystery and some very exotic scents back with them from Paris to Nantucket. Stella is a thoroughly engaging character who has an obvious love fo family, friends, and her hometown with all of its history. All of the characters are introduced and developed right along with the mystery, which keeps you engaged regardless of whether you have read the first book or not. In book 2, several out of towners including a few on hand for an auspicious and friendly get together with some of Millie's old high school classmates adds even more characters to this puzzle. Multiple parties and multiple suspects keep Stella on her toes, not to mention how oddly her beau Peter has been acting lately. Throw in a federal agent and you have the makings for a murder that might just make scents! Oh and I can't wait until cranberry season when I can try my hand at Gram Scully's Cranberry Pie, chances are I will make minis to give as gifts. The candle making tips are great for crafters as well and I am tempted to use some of my silicone baking molds to make some seasonal candles.
Murder in an Irish Cottage (Irish Village Mystery Book #5)
By Carlene O'Connor
Published by Kensington Books
Fiancés, Family, and Fairies, and all at the same time. Oh my! Macdara is called in by his blind cousin to investigate the death of her Mom. That same death is being blamed on the fair folk rather than a person of flesh and bone easily found in the village near where the incident took place. Such superstitious beliefs are why cousin Jane does not even trust the local police force to get to the bottom of this mystery. Shiobhan
, being the excellent guarda that she is will not hesitate to help Macdara as well as keeping an open mind about who or why the killing took place regardless of the ties that bind and sometimes blind. One does not have to be familiar with this storyline to be able to enjoin this next installment. I have only read the previous book in the series and it has no bearing on this one other than the engagement proposal. In addition to giving this Yank a look into the country Irish ways it also inspired me to make several Irish dishes to enjoy while reading the book. There are several possible suspects from the neighbors to a town councilman. Was it unhappy fairies or a greedy horde hunter?
On the Lamb (Kabob Kitchen Mystery Book #4)
By Tina Kashian
Published by Kensington Books
Sturgis goes to the Sea, or a much tamer title would be Bikers on the Beach. There must be something freeing about the feeling of riding on the back of motorcycle with the wind all around you as you speed down the coastline, almost as fancy free as getting your own place. Lucy moves out of home and takes up residence in a furnished upstairs apartment with a killer view, a very active senior landlady who is looking to fend off a greedy nephew bent on getting control of her beachfront home. No need to read previous Kabob Kitchen stories to be able to keep up with a current installment. Each book does a great job as a stand alone, as well as building a great series. Lucy is an excellent character with a great lineup of friends and a romance that is blossoming after having been nipped in the bud so many years ago. This current cozy has Lucy running around town with bikers, thanks to Michael (who is just a friend, no really, she is totally committed to her relationship with Azad) as well as investigating with her BFF Katie. There is no way that Melanie the sweet girl who makes those sweet treats could have possibly killed the creepy nephew (who was also her sleazy storefront landlord) even if he did choke on his words and her saltwater toffee. There are so many other suspects to choose from and Lucy is sure that she can find the right one and get Melanie out of this sticky situation. A page turner to be sure with a great storyline, fun and creative characters and best of all...RECIPES! Yay me for being able to try my hand at some lamb kabobs!
Who's Dead Doc (A Jules and Bun Mystery)
By J.M. Griffin
Published by Kensington Books
Bun and Jules are back and this time the untimely death of everyone's NOT favorite person, Evelyn; takes place right next to a birthday party gig. No one saw anything, except that Jules noticed Evelyn and party hostess Carina having a very heated conversation before the start of the party. The only redeeming trait that Evelyn possessed was her love of rabbits and her excellent organization of the rabbit show taking place at the Windermere Exhibition Hall. As luck would have it, Jules is asked to be a judge. This gives her and Bun the opportunity to help a frazzled Carina as well as be the eyes and ears for Sheriff Jack Carver (at his request). You don't need to have read the previous book to be caught up with the "superpowered" Bun and Fur Bridge Farm owner Juliette Bridge. The story offers several viable suspects and I didn't even realize who the true villain was until the big reveal. The story moves along at a good pace, of course, part of that is due to Bun's desire to hop to it! I would like to see a romantic element added to the story just because I am a die-hard romantic cozy reader and figure that for all the times Officer Andy is looking out for Jules, there should be a little spark there, just maybe. A very good story that I hope, will keep multiplying just like rabbits!
A Crafter Quilts a Crime
By Holly Quinn
Published by Crooked Lane
Best one yet! Like a roller coaster, this story plunges you into a murder right off the bat and then twists and turns you through the suspects. No one would have expected the local yoga instructor to drop dead, and in a display window no less during the Fire and Ice event. Plus there are the S.H.E. girls who are ready to rumble when it looks like Emily's husband is a suspect. Of course Detective Nash repeatedly asks them to step back and let him do his job to the point where their friction is almost as apparent as their attraction. I really enjoy reading about how close the three ladies are and how they have each others' backs no matter what. Last but not least I can't wait to make meatball soup and crustless quiche and am so glad that the author included these recipes. If I was a quilter I am sure that I would enjoy the Patched Flight lap quilt pattern.
In Cold Chamomile
By Joy Avon
Published by Crooked Lane Books
Callie Aspen and her Great Aunt Iphy are busy prepping for the big Valentine's event at Haywood Hall, comprised of sweet treats, sweet music, and maybe even some sweet sales after getting an expert appraisal for an old book or antique. The last thing Callie expected to be doing for Valentines was aiding and abetting her Aunt Iphy in a little bit of sleuthing. It was a lovely event until the appraiser winds up deceased and it looks like the mysterious and world-famous baritone singer from Iphy's past is the #1 suspect. Callie thinks the world of Aunt Iphy and there isn't anything she wouldn't do to help, but Iphy is putting Callie in a bad position when Detective Ace Faulk pleads with Callie to trust him and to stay out of the investigation. Maybe if Callie was more sure of where she stood with Ace, then she would be able to resist Aunt Iphy's fact-finding adventures. There is no way that Callie is going to let anything happen to Iphy, not if she can help it, even if Iphy isn't being completely forthcoming about the mysterious Sean Strong. You do not need to have read the previous books in the series to understand how important Iphy is to Callie or how close Callie wants to be to Ace. It certainly pulls on the heartstrings that Callie is having to make a choice between her heart and her heart. Callie has a great way of looking at things and has well thought out ideas. I only wish there were some pictures of Iphy's wonderful cake creations at the end of the book, what a masterpiece those would be to construct. Without giving away the story I am going to say that I can't wait for the next book because I was not quite satisfied with how this one ended. All in all, another excellent TeaBook mystery.
