Thank you to the authors, publishers, and NetGalley for providing these ARCs in exchange for honest reviews.
Written by Krista Davis
Published by Kensington
Release date: March 30, 2021
Wagstail, N.C. is a town like no other, pets are pampered and attend amazing fundraising galas in cocktail collars and tasteful tiaras. The collaboration between cat, canine, and cozy sleuth. makes for an fun and furry story. Multiple story lines that intersect in unusual ways starting with oatmeal on a countertop, a missing pup, the death of a detective, and many suspects. Holly works her way through her chores at the B&B and the clues, fueled by fabulous food like a Florentine Havarti scramble and the desire to keep her boyfriend's Grandmother, Rose off of the suspect list. The past is a part of the mystery but which past and who's past plays the biggest part. This was my first Paws and Claws mystery and it will not be the last. The characters are relatable and the back story is shared, interwoven, so that the reader can follow along and enjoy the present without being familiar with the past.
Bodies & Bows (Apron Shop Series)
Written by: Elizabeth Penney
Published by St. Martin's Paperbacks
Release date: March 30, 2021
Things are getting hectic at Ruffles & Bows, Iris Buckley's apron and linens shop, co-owned with her Grandmother. The summer is coming and tourists are pouring into Blueberry Cove, Maine, plus the group is heading up a Lighthouse Museum project that is sure to bring history to life or at least maybe give a long lost romance a second chance. It is a great place to sail or learn how to sail or even date a former Olympiad sailor, like Iris's friend Bella who was getting over the sting of divorce. This story has a plot that surges like a sewing machine, with multiple suspects and is at the top of the list. There is no way that Iris is going to let Bella be set adrift by the obvious misdirection and blatant set up not unlike the red herrings that one needs to sift through. There is an important clue so be sure to pay attention when reading! No spoilers from me other than to tell you that it is an enjoyable book and while it is part of a series you do not need to have read the others to enjoy this one.
Written by Traci Wilton
Published by Kensington
Release date: March 30, 2021
She is a B&B host with the most and techno savvy ghost. This was my first Salem B&B Mystery but it will not be my last, it was easy to keep p with the characters thanks to the sprinkling of backstory. I will be going back and reading the series starter so I can see how Charlene met Jack and solved his mysterious death. I really enjoyed how the story included a smidge of stereotypical Salem i.e. wiccan/witch aspect through Charlene's friend, Kass. Ah but Kass is not the sorceress of which we speak, no that would be the victim, that would be Madison Boswell, who was not well liked by many but definitely captivated by others. With this group of thespians there is as much drama as there are suspects. Even the back stories have back stories. Charlene does a great job of helping Detective Sam Holden, who seems to appreciate the help she gives by passing on the info that she and Jack are able to gather from internet searches and asking questions. The story starts out with a historical play and ends with a Shakespeare classic and in between Charlene manages to take care of the B&B, provide wonderful happy hour snacks such as the warm chicken dip and white sangria. A good deal of red herrings can be found in this red, white, and blue Independence Day cozy mystery.
Written by Maddie Day
Published by Kensington Books
Release date March 30, 2021
Bike shop owner Mackenzie "Mac" Almeida, bike shop owner, book group member, and tiny house resident is a character with a lot of character. Definitely a bit of character shading by adding her overwhelming need to have everything in it's place, all neat and tidy. In addition to being efficient Mac is also very friendly, which makes her a successful business person who is surrounded by a group of supportive friends and loved ones. Unlike the victim of the story, Beverly Ruchart, who does not induce warm and fuzzy feelings in others, and thereby creating multiple suspects. Mac's BFF, who clearly has no motive, falls under suspicion, making it imperative that the Cozy Capers book club get to the bottom of the mystery. As with the many cozies, local law enforcement, and the State investigator, are not too keen on the groups involvement but they are happy to be kept informed of all the local gossip and any tidbits that they amazingly efficient texting Capers can provide. In addition to a story line that does not go in a straight line, with twists and turns, red herrings, high and low emotions, there are also some wonderful recipes at the end of the story. Do not worry if this is your first Cozy Caper Book Group mystery because it was my first one and there was plenty of back story provided through out the book that I did not feel lost. Great story with great recipes at the end of the book, I tried my hand at the deviled eggs and really like the variation of avocado instead of mayo.
Under the Cover of Murder (A Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery)
By Lauren Elliott
Published by Kensington
Release date: March 30, 2021
Addie Greybourne is what one might refer to as a busybody but can she really help it if she finds herself in the wrong place at the right time? Stuck on a yacht with some questionable people and without Simon, Addie must #1 solve a crime #2 solve a murder #3 not get herself hurt in the process. Serena's big day goes off with a few hitches, namely a pushy Stepmom in Law with a highly questionable background, fancy title or not. If you are not familiar with this series, let me start by saying that Addie is like a pit bull, a very cute, very smart, pit bull. She knows her stuff, which the local law needs to remember...and she has a very inquisitive mind. You cannot help but to be enthralled with her rare book knowledge or to "heavy sigh" about her relationship with Simon. Yep, team Simon all the way, and looking forward to when Addie can say those words that we are all wanting to hear including Simon LOL. So, we have a crew of questionable characters, and some of them are actually members of the crew. So many sneaky people on this boat that you begin to wonder who isn't up to no good. Loads of clues and just as many red herrings! Good thing that Serena was off on her honeymoon or I am sure she would have lost it even more.
Picture Perfect Frame (A Tourist Trap Mystery)
By Lynn Cahoon
Published by Kensington
Release date: March 16, 2021
Welcome to South Cove, a northern California coastal town where Jill and friends spend an evening at the local art studio with a little paint and sip event where tension saturates the room just as much as the paint saturates the canvas. Jill is actually pretty good with handling tension as she helps her BFF get ready for her wedding day in addition Jill not only manages a coffee/book shop but she also manages to keep honeymoon secrets, faith in her psychic friend/neighbor Esmeralda, and her wits when she is asking questions and hunting down clues. This time it seems that Jill needs to watch her back more than usual which keeps her roommate-boyfriend-Chief of Police close at hand to keep an eye on her. I found myself wanting to caution Jill but was happy to see that she did not take unnecessary risks as she has in the past. The character is so well written/created you cannot help but to develop reactions as you read the story. I was also very happy with the ending and hope that there are still a few more Tourist Trap Mysteries in store for us readers. As always, a recipe is located at the conclusion of the story and this one looks to be quite decadent and ooey gooey!
Written by Fiona Leitch
Published by One More Chapter
Release date: March 11, 2021
Jodie might get stuck in a potato sack as a movie extra but she is a star when comes to subbing for the on-set caterer. That is until the leading man serves blowfish at a small birthday dinner party. The story has you guessing as to whether it was a an accidental poisoning or if it was intentional. Jodie is as cheeky as always and feeling confused about what she is feeling/thinking about her best mate who does a Mr. Darcy (when did he get a 6 pack, eh?) and then there is DI Withers who causes her to ... yeah you get the picture, but he gets a great job offer from his old precinct. While on set, Jodie knows that something just isn't quite right and all that movie drama isn't helping. For the first time Nathan realizes that it is better to work with Jodie than against her and they officially team up to solve this medieval movie mystery. I almost jumped to the end because I was so into the story and the relationship development that I was tempted to see if it was going to make me cry or make me cry. Yep I cried, not gonna tell you why, as Jodie would say, you need to work it out yourself. I REALLY like how the recipe reads as if Jodie is reading it to you, and those tempura fritters were so good that I sampled a few before serving them to the family. Quality assurance after all!
A Deadly Chapter (Castle Bookshop Mystery)
Written by Essie Lang
Published by Crooked Lane Books
Release date: March 9, 2021
Shelby Cox, bookseller and town newbie didn't have to go far to find a body this time, right outside her "door" and of course she is going to be curious since the victim was in her shop just a few days before looking for someone. Feeling as if she needs to get to the bottom of this mystery, after all, the victims distraught daughter is in town demanding answers and the list of suspects seems to be growing, Shelby is well on her way to irritating the local law. In addition to worrying Sheriff Stone and Aunt Edie, Shelby's boyfriend/Coast Guard investigator, Zack, who is working out of town on a secondment, begs her to be careful. You cannot help but be caught up in the sleuthing path that Shelby takes us on or agreeing with the need to ask questions. After all, this isn't her first time around murder or mystery, it is the first time it has been "dropped" almost right on her door/boat step. Shelby is completely relatable and you can't help but like her new BFF, Erica, owner of the shop Chocomania which sells the best truffles! I really wish that Erica would share a recipe or two! I was a little worried up until the end but am happy to see that it all worked out. Looking forward to the next Castle Bookshop Mystery. And I am quite serious about those truffle recipes!
Written by: Vivien Chien
Published by: St. Martin Paperbacks
Release date: March 9, 2021
Who would blame Lana for wanting to take a cooking class in another town? Unfortunately it looks like murder is on the menu and she still isn't going to be any closer to mastering the kitchen. To make matters worse, guess who is at the top of the suspect list? Lana gets support from all of her friends in this one, from her boyfriend, handsome Detective Adam Trudeau, to Peter the Ho-Lee Noodle House Chef and of course roommate Megan and life long friend Kimmy. Kimmy adds quite a bit of sass in this one, making it LOL funny at times. I must say that I am always surprised as to just how tight plaza community is in these books, the Mahjong Matrons are always full of great tips and the hairdressers are definitely excellent source of intel aka gossip. A few well placed red herrings make for clever distractions not to mention how great all the foods sound. I REALLY wish there were recipes at the end of the books (HINT- HINT).
