Thank you to the authors, publishers, and NetGalley for providing these ARCs in exchange for honest reviews.
By Jackie Layton
Published by Bell Bridge Books
Release date: Ocotober 30, 2020
I really enjoy the way faith and family are interwoven in The Low Country Dog Walker Mystery series. In this book as with many of the cozies I read, family isn't always genetic. Andi Grace sets an excellant example just like her dog Sunny. These stories have just the right amount of spirituality to not be preachy and to still deliver a great cozy, which means that our main character is not perfect but just tries to do their best in all they do. That includes solving murders and this time is no exception. Andi Grace really has her job cut out for her this time as she is literally attached by her high school sweetheart who seems to have nothing but disdain for her now, disdain and a crazy and erratic temper. Not exactly someone who should be running for office, so what is he really up to? That coupled with the fact that the local cat lady, Tabby, is found dead and by Andi Grace and Marc while on a beach run. Was it the aide, the daughter, did she just trip and hit her head, or was it something more? The way these characters, Andi Grace's support system, come together for each other and for complete strangers is awesome. Andi Grace seems to have never met a stranger and excels at making people feel comfortable, not to mention that she had an uncanny ability to match people and dogs. This seriers is not only entertaining but is also a very good reminder to me that all things are possible through God, that prayer works miracles, and that sometimes you just need to give it to God to handle. Looking forward to the next book maybe this time, Juliet won't have to keep waiting for Nate to make some kind of public declaration.
By Diane Kelly
Published by St. Martin Books
Release date: October 27, 2020, available on Kindle, audio CD, and paperback
They say that there is no greater bond than a boy and his dog. I disagree, there is no greater bond than a lady cop and her run-you-down dog aka Officer Megan Luz and Sgt. Brigit. Valentines is when you paint the town red, not when you should be getting called to see a kitchen that has been spattered in red (blood) with no body to be found. This was a strange case and was definelty thinking outside of the dog bone box. Be prepared to not only know what Megan is thinking but also you get to read Brigit's thoughts and some criminal commentary as well. So this is a she said, she barked, they (nope not telling you if it was a man or woman) plotted story line. Pay attention because the clues are there scattered like so many Valentines day rose petals not to be confused with the petals from a bridal bouquet because newly engaged Megan needs to be thinking about that as well with her upcoming wedding. I was so close to figuring this one out and in fact I came up with part of the solution but I saw this going a different direction. Which means that this story drew me in completely. These stories give you not one crime but two as Megan and Brigit work to determine if there is a con man or a man who was conned while also working on the case to find a dead man and still make time for her man, Seth.
Written by J.C. Eaton
Published by Kensington Books
Release date: October 27, 2020, Kindle and paperback
I am not sure what is funnier about this series, Sophie and the way she talks to herself about her Mom, Harriet or the way that Harrient caters to her dog, Streetman. Oh to have this kind of zany yet loving relationship LOL. Harriet is the only mom character out of all the cozies that I have come across, that manages to get her daughter into the sleuthing messes. Sophie just wants to deal with numbers not murder and dead bodies or trips to the dog park (Streeman is doggie nongrata). I radio talkshow should have been the last place to find trouble but Harriet manages to find it. She also seems to be plugged into the pop up yard sale grapevine well enough that she also manages to get some great deals on towels for Sophie and Marshall's new place. Sophie is so excited to be setting up house with Marshall, her former Minnesota crush, now her Arizona PI honey and coworker. This story has you shaking your head and chuckling out loud, I dare you to deny it! Just in time for the Christmas holidays, Sophie and Streetman are on the case, oh and Harriet's murder mystery book club, and the pinochle guys, plus the detective agency. Another winning book 4 the J.C. Eaton team!
By Amanda Flower
Published by Kensington Books
Release date: October 27, 2020, available on Kindle
While Bailey is busy doing some promos in New York, cousin Charlotte is busy over-seeing the Candy Cane Exchange fundraiser. Definitely a story as sweet as a candy cane and with a little bit of mystery. No bodies or mayhem but there is conflict and Charlotte is left a little conflicted. A short story that will give you a little inside view of the Amish, or at least the Amish of Harvest, Ohio. No need to have read the other Amish Candy Shop stories to keep up with this one since it is from Charlotte's point of view and not Bailey's. It does introduce you to some of the main characters and a yummy recipe from Charlotte herself which will make a perfect little something to hand out to just about anyone who might have a sweet tooth. While this will hold me over until the New Year, I look forward to Bailey's next adventure.
By Nancy Coco
Published by Kensington Books
Release date: October 27, 2020, available on Kindle and paperback
Christmas time on Mackinace Island where the winter is cold but the candy kitchen is hot from all that fudge that Allie McMurphy is busily making for her online orders. By the way, there are several fudge recipes that grace the pages of this sweet yet satisfying cozy that you will want to make before you even finish the book. There is a big secret in this story and it isn't that Allie and Mal, her bichonpoo, have a tendency to come across a body or two. One of the best aspects about these stories that you can pick up any of the Candy-Coated Mysteries and have no problem following the plot or keeping track of the characters. As the story progresses, Allie thinks back to past events so we can all be on the same page. I love her upbeat attitude and how nothing seems to get her down for too long. As with any good cozy, Allie has her eye on a guy, the strong silent type and local law enforcement officer, Rex. Things have become a little complicated what with his ex-wife coming back as a damsel in distress. Allie is pretty much a do it yourself type of gal and isn't going to wait for someone to rescue her, even if she does get into some sticky situations.
By Carlene O'Connor
Published by
Release date: October 27, 2020, available on Kindle, audiobook, and Hardcover
Family time and time off from working as a Garda, that is all Siobha'n is looking forward to with her brood when they travel to West Cork to spend Christmas with her future sister in-law's family. This isn't turning out to be a traditional Christmas in any form. The patriarch and famed conductor is found dead in the barn turned concert hall, instantly putting Siobhan into inspector mode. Siobhan's clan asked her not to work this season but how can she not when there is a killer on the loose. Is it the obvious suspect or someone else? So many secrets to be unwrapped and none of them have the makings of a holly jolly Christmas. Another great Irish mystery with a wonderful recipe for Irish Brown Bread.
By: Lauren Elliot
Published by
Much like the lasgana from Mario's, this story is multi-layered and very good. Addie Greybourne cannot seem to keep herself out of mystery solving, but this time it will surely win over her business neighbor Martha once and for all. Matha's daughter, Addie's shop assistant Paige has not had the best of luck with men, her Dad took off when she was young leaving her with what turns out to be a first edition of the Secret Garden, and her college professor bails after she has their little girl. Now both are back in town and Martha has definetly gone MaMa bear over it. Which is great until ends up dead in the alley behind the bakery and of course is the one to find him. She can't stand to see Paige suffer and surely Mama Martha didn't mean she would kill the guy when she said that she was going to put an end to his nonsense, she didn't mean and end to him, did she? Layer number two involves the mystery of how Gloria fell off of a ladder while event prepping for the town's Fire and Ice event, leaving Pippin, her pooch to be taken car of by Addie. Addie can't believe how quickly she falls for the dog, since she never considered herself a pet person. Lastly, mystery number 3 has to do with the Secret Garden book going missing...There are several out of towners in town for the festival and some who are in town for other things, perhaps nepherious things. Addie is sure to get to the bottom of it with the help of Paige who watches the shop, Serena who is great for bouncing ideas off of and of course Simon, her partner in crime and in matters of her heart. Addie is getting so close to being able to say those three little words that weigh heavy on her mind and her emotions. Great story, cannot wait for the next one, maybe a little Valentines Day and a priceless love story to go with it.
By Kate Young
Published by Crooked Lane Books
Release date: October 6, 2020, available on Kindle, Audible, Hardcover, Audio CD
Lyla Moody of the Jane Doe Book Club has a horrific mystery dumped quite literally on her doorstep. One of their own had become paranoid and obsessed with a Jane Doe case and it seemed to be her undoing. There was no way Lyla was going to be able to leave this mystery alone, regardless of what a proper Southern lady should be engaged in. Much to her mother's dismay, Lyla was going to look into things, she was a private detective's assistant after all. If you aren't hooked yet you soon will be. While Lyla might not be as proper as her mother would like, this series starter is a right proper Book #1. The characters are multilayered and while we get a bit of a back story I don't think we have seen everything just yet. Lyla is a textbook example of a Steel Magnolia with a touch of sophisticated sassy.
By Carolyn Haines
Published by Minotaur Books
Release date: October 13, 2020, available on Kindle, Audible, and Hardcover
Tinkie is still organizing pre-baby trips and this time it is a Christmas vacation to a small Mississippi town that is full of gossip, backstabbing, and unladylike behavior. All this group wants for Christmas is some holiday cheer and a break from investigating. Instead they are hired by a haint and I don't mean like Jitney, Sarah Booth's relative ghost, to determine who is causing the socialite swingers such grinchy grief. It looks like it will tke a Christmas miracel to get to the bottom of all this muck, and in fact they do end up in some swampy territory when one of the more congenial townsfolk goes overboard duing the Christmas regatta. I am always impressed by how well Sarah Booth and Tinkie work together to tackle these cases. I am equally impressed by the wonderfully descriptive breakfast meals they managed to find at the B&Bs they have stayed with over the last few books. So be sure to grab some fresh-made biscuits before you settle in for a nice winter's read.
