Thank you to the authors, publishers, and NetGalley for providing these ARCs in exchange for honest reviews.
By: Sherry Harris
Published by: Kensington Books
Release date: December 29, 2020
WOW, that was one crazy trip down the rabbit hole. This cozy was as intense as the Hatter is MAD. I do not know how garage sale guru and professional organizer, Sarah Winston, was able to keep her head or her wits about her. Great plot development, just like a well played chess match, and there are a slew of players. Sarah has to rely on her wits in order to find her friend and landlady, Stella, who has been kidnapped. Instead of a ransom, Sarah is told to follow the clues. Clues that are as nutty as the March Hare and as confusing as Wonderland itself. I was able to mark one or two possible suspects off the list but it took me rereading a few passages just to be sure. My heart ached when Sarah's ached, for her missing friend, for having to lie to her love, and for knowing that she had lost the trust of those she thinks highly of, but what would any of them do if they were in her shoes. She was determined to do as instructed until she couldn't. What a story! I think I need a glass of wine and a Bianco pizza!
By Angela M. Sanders
Published by Kensington Books
Available on December 29, 2020
The perfect job for the perfect cover for someone who just blew the whistle on a Senator's aide. Or at least that is what Josephine Way, with the unusual star birthmark, thought she was doing. At least that is until she ends up in the middle of a land dispute between the library trustees. If that was not interesting enough lets add a little magic to the mix. I liked the twist on the magic and the idea that there is not one type of witch but rather there are those who have special powers, Josie seems to be a bibliowitch who can talk to books and get the books to talk back. Of course this is a little scary and a lot of overwhelming at first and completely fueled by emotion. Oh and one more bit to add to this interesting story is the murder aspect, of course. It seems that a body has been discovered, the body of a finisher. So who were they coming to finish off? There are a whole lot of rabbit holes to go down with this cozy as the plot thickens and the characters are developed. First in a new series and definitely off to a great start. and I will be the first to admit that I did not see that one coming with regards to the murderer.
A Catered Book Club Murder (A Mystery with Recipes)
By Isis Crawford
Published by Kensington Books
Release date: December 29, 2020
The Simmons sisters are professional bakers and amateur sleuth's although Bernie would argue that since they have been hired by the Longley Mystery Book Club, they are now professionals. As professionals they are willing to kick over rocks and "break" into buildings/homes if need be to find the answers to the question of who killed Margo. You have to respect a girl or a couple of girls who can ask the hard questions and go the extra mile, hopefully that extra mile won't include quicksand. This book comes with a nice variety of baking recipes and some tasty baked good descriptions as well. Several red herrings and realism when it comes to siblings being siblings with their Dad reflecting on the fact that they still bicker just like when they were children. This was my second Mystery With Recipes mystery and I liked the extra twist of a first person aspect of their Dad and former police chief, Sean, and his bit to help their investigation. As a diehard romantic I would have liked to have seen a little bit more interaction between Bernie and Brandon and Libbie with Marvin, beyond a few pages in the RJ's bar setting.
By: Meg Macy
Published by: Kensington Books
Release date: December 29, 2020
Sasha Silverman is not only a terrific teddy bear salesperson but also a sharp sleuth and she is going to need to use every bit of her ability to help save a wedding. Not that she wanted to be an attendant for a bridezilla, wear four inch heels with ankle bows, or deal with some very odd men looking to purchase teddy bears for lots of cash and no questions. This story has more than one subplot and a very happy ending in spite of the predicaments with not one but two murders and be careful of red herrings because they are as prevalent as the Valentine hearts surrounding this story. Great character development, I really was starting to get very annoyed with bride Cissy even if this was her one and only big day to remember for the rest of her life. Great family dynamics, lots of support and love, and the fact that the police grudgingly accept Sasha's assistance is also a nice bit. I had not read a Teddy Bear mystery before and had no problem keeping up with who the players were, and I don't just mean Sasha's ex-husband, what a egomaniac. Looking forward to the next one!
By: Karen Rose Smith
Published by: Kensington Books
Release date: December 20, 2020
Daisy had no intentions of getting involved with another murder. She wasn't particularly fond of the victim, she had respect for her old English teacher but it is hard to not be involved when you find the body and several people come to you asking for you to be involved. Guess how many of those people were from the police department. That's right much like the shape of the letter "O" in the word Oolong, there were zero requests from the Willow Creek PD. I will say that lately it seems like all the cozy heroines are having some issues with their cozy guys and my heart keeps riding that roller coaster. Trust seems to be a theme in this story on several levels. This is also a great story to help remind us that we never know what someone else is going through and that a little kindness goes a long, long way. The story played out well and for at least 2 chapters I was pretty sure I knew who the guilty party was and then BOOM, nope I was wrong, but that is okay because I now have some great recipes to try out and will be consoling myself with a piece of that lovely sounding Blueberry Coffee Cake and super cozy Cabbage Soup perfect for these cold December nights.
By: Jane Gorman
Published by: Blue Eagle Press
Release date: December 20, 2020
The story does a great job of setting up the mystery and then anthropologist turned B&B hostess, Anna McGregor leads us through a merry chase and I thought I had it partially figured out but then realized...red herring. I would suggest you skip to the back of the book to find the scofflaw recipe and make one to enjoy while you armchair sleuth your way through this charming and cozy mystery. Anna is definitely not one to sit around and wait for local law enforcement to find the killer, she may be a killer baker but her scones couldn't have killed her B&B's first customer, could they? The story sets us up for many interesting characters and some unusual future stories. While I am not a fan of the multiple love interests angle it will keep things interesting. My only negative remark is that I REALLY would have like to seen a scone recipe to go with the scofflaw drink directions.
By: Victoria Gilbert
Published by: Crooked Lane Books
Release date: December 8, 2020
Amy's big day is at hand and there are copious amounts of details to be completed, including the inclusion of the mother of the groom. Amy and her in-laws haven't really hit it off but that cannot be helped nor, it seems that they don't get along with Richard either. This is not the time to worry with such trifles, after all a man has been found dead in the garden shed and it appears to be relateed to questionable artwork. This book wastes no time in setting the seen, hightening the emotions and then introducing the murder. Aunt Lydia's beau, Hugh Chen, thinks that Kurt Kendrick is to blame and while he is not exactly a squeaky clean businessman, Amy has a gut feeling that he is not to blame. There are several people who seem a bit sketchy in this one including the deceased. It seems that there might be more than one closet with skeletons. On the brighter side of things I adore Amy's wedding gift for Richard, I am not sure how she managed to find time for that while working full time, wedding prepping part time and sleuthing the other part of the time. As with the other installments in this cozy series, this one delivers mystery, murder, and a nice start to what is sure to be a lasting marriage. I look forward to the next edition.
By Tara Lush
Published by Crooked Lane Books
Release date: December 8, 2020
From hard hitting investigative reporter to hard tamping barista/shop co-owner. Looking for something new in somewhere familiar Lana Lewis returns home to Devil's Beach to help her Dad run Perkartory the family coffee shop while she regroups from a job loss and a divorce. Honestly I think she is better off without either of them, especially the husband who left her for a younger (practically out of high school younger) woman. Now all Lana wants to do is learn to pour some latte art and to not look bad while competing in the Sunshine State Barista Championship. She is definitely not looking for love in all the right or wrong places but she can't help but notice a certain police chief, Sheriff Hottie as one might call him, that same someone (Erica) might just have changed the contact info in Lana's phone. I'm not sure how much he can be trusted though, he doesn't even drink coffee or tea for that matter, just hot water with a lemon? What is that all about? Our story starts with a latte art lesson and then the defection and death of lead barista and local lothario, Fabrizio Bellucci from Milan. The man went through women like a fashionista goes through shoes. Did he fall off the roof or was he pushed? Either way Lana wants to find out the truth. Jilted lovers, irate boyfriends, an odd older couple, the surfer dude, or was it the Girlfriend and her scary coffee shop owning father, just so many suspects to choose from. Lana gets that investigative itch and well, coffee making just isn't going to cover it like investigative reporting can. I have never had a latte but after looking up latte art I think I am going to need to try one and you should definitely try this new series starter.
By: Jane K. Cleland
Published by Minotaur Books
Release date: December 8, 2020
It had been a while since I read a Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery, but I am happy to report that this one is just as good as Glow of Death. I love the beautiful book covers that have really improved with each book. These stories offer up some nice details regarding antiques and this one is no different, from the incredible WW II era French chandelier from in Josie's new home to the mysterious box and cat statue belonging to Maudie, Josie's newest acquaintance and possible client. Josie instantly takes a liking to Maudie and feels a sort of kinship with the older lady who has decided that it is time to live her life the way she wants to by traveling and writing a blog. Maudie's nieces, Celia and Stacy, are not hip on the idea and in fact that act as though Maudie should be in a home being taken care of because she is forgetting things, like the fact that she wants to have the box and cat appraised and then sold. Josie quite literally stumbles upon the victim, who has been killed in Maudie's new apartment and Maudie seems to have disappeared along with the box and statue. Is this a robbery gone wrong or a bait and switch with a side of double cross? Plenty of people to suspect and plenty of clues to find.
By Rosemarie Ross
Published by Kensington Publishing
Release date: December 1, 2020
Second book in the series and just as good as the first! My only suggestion would be to add some of those recipes to the back of the book. After reading about the different contestant culinary offerings I wanted to try my hand at making them as well. Especially since the judges are kind enough to point out ways to improve them. Speaking of the judges, it is nice to see how well they are meshing this time, even though poor Skylar is more than a little steamed over the treatment he receives by the producer. Skylar was in the wrong place at the wrong time being stalked by a woman he had never even wronged, much less murdered. The producer who could very well be a suspect just because his disposition could curdle milk. Courtney comes clean about her background and things are touch and go with Drake, which is okay because I am Team Eric all the way. Courtney needs to take Shannon's advice not only in business but also in affairs of the heart. Shannon knows the recipe for love just like these contestants know which ingredients to mix together to make awesome wedding related menus and meals. I do like the addition of Pamela the personal security guard, because Shannon is bound to get into trouble, after all you can't make a wedding cake or solve a mystery without breaking a few eggs.
By Debra Sennefelder
Published by Lyrical Underground
Release date: December 1, 2020
Kelly Quinn is not only fashionable but also forgiving. Not sure I would be willing to help the "dragonista of Seventh Avenue" avoid jail by searching for a killer. The evidence leads to Serena Dawson, Kelly's former boss and bane of her former "life" existence. Kelly has every right to just walk away, after all she has a leaky roof to take care of, a boutique business to continue growing, and a new relationship that keeps her guessing. Kelly is just one of those characters, your typical cozy character who can't help but help and you can't help but like. Is this murder about an ex-wife or a fitness phony, or is it something else all together? In between consigning clothes and submitting fashion articles, Kelly will do her best to solve this mystery as well as the one involving her family drama. Why does her Uncle seem to find only negative things to talk about, why the cold shoulder and hateful looks, what exactly did Kelly do that was so bad? On the plus side she might just be making headway with Detective Wolman, nope not going to refer to her by her first name even if Kelly is dating the Detective's brother.
By: Cate Carlisle
Published by Berkley Publishing
Release date: December 1, 2020
This was my first Shannon Hammer story and I am sure that it will not be my last. The characters are engaging and you do not have be a series follower to be able to follow the story. As with all good cozys, Shannon has a great group of family and friends, and her guy sounds like one smart and appreciative beau. I really appreciated the fact that the author took a couple of sentences to explain how Shannon got into construction in the first place. A unique concept, to take a former institution and to turn it into something new and commercially shiny while sticking to the original architectural integrity. You can tell that Ms. Carlisle definitely did some research. I also enjoyed the plot twist which I definitely did not see coming. The imagery made it very easy to see the wonderful scenery in my mind's eye and to contemplate a trip to northern California. With the amount of time that will be needed for this latest renovation and the size and grandeur I could easily see a follow up story that picks up slightly from where this one leaves off. I also liked the helpful hint about how to deal with mold using white vinegar where you have wall paper, one never knows when those little tidbits of knowledge can come in handy.
By Cate Conte
Published by St. Martin's Paperbacks
Release date: December 1, 2020
Book number 4 in the series and book number 1 for me. So I will be needing to put 3 more books on my TBR list because I really enjoyed this Cat Café mystery. What a unique idea, a cat café where you can get to know a kitty while having a coffee. This story definitely proves that while cats don't change their spots, everything is not always what it seems. My imagination is every bit as wild as Maddie James, so when she was being a doubting Thomas, I was doing the same, which means she is a completely relatable character. I also liked that she had a good relationship with her Grandpa, who gave credence to her theories no matter how wild they may be. She is a bit like the feral cats that she is trying to protect, hesitant to trust and fearful of being hurt. She has a great support system of family and friends as all good cozy main characters have with lots of character development. The story has lots of false leads and red herrings and just when you think you know what is happening, you find out that you were completely wrong. There were at least four times where I thought one thing and it turned out to be something else all together. Excellent work as an author because it made the story that much more entertaining. Looking forward to the next one as well!
By: Libby Klein
Published by:
Release date: December 1, 2020
Poppy needs to make a decision, she can't have her gluten-free muffins and eat them too. Of course she is usually too busy to take time out to eat which worries her doctor. Between the Butterfly Wings B&B, creating divine desserts for Tim, bistro baked goods for Gia, and trying to keep her Aunt Ginny out of the hoosegow. Now on top of it all she is having to work twice as hard to get bookings for the B&B thanks to some bogus posts and bad reviews from the last book (curse that Gigi) and is working with a tour group looking to take in some wine country. Unfortunately, wine and murder do not pair nearly as well as wine and any one of the recipes found at the back of the book. I have ingredients list ready for the paleo blueberry scones and the gluten-free strawberry tiramisu with sweet red wine. The tour group is a very unusual assortment of people who seem to somehow be connected even though they swear they don't know each other, accept for the victim whose trip is being hijacked by his daughter and her husband in an attempt to make the new and very young wife very uncomfortable. Not to spoil the story but it will get a little dark and serious before the end and the very end well let's just say that I am not so sure I was happy with the coin toss and then I was feeling like a rolling pin had come out of no where. Plenty of suspects and red herrings and the unusal working relationship that Poppy and Kim seem to be working towards, which is really mature of them both (high school drama). My final comment about the book is that I'm already hungry for the next one and the Maxine crab has got to go!
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