February 2022 New Cozy Reviews

  Thank you to the authors, publishers, and NetGalley for providing these ARCs in exchange for honest reviews.

FEBRUARY 22nd RELEASES

Antique Auctions are Murder
Libby Klein
Kensington
 
Poppy got a dresser and a bit more…a dead body, while Aunt Ginny got herself a sequined matador jacket. This story has several people wanting more, Auggie Whipple wanted more money, Grover Prickle wants more of his items to quit disappearing, Tildy wants more family (a baby), Courtney Whipple wants more ribbons for his heirloom tomatoes, Mrs. Davis and Josephine want the ornate family jewelry box, Poppy wants more time with Gia, Amber and just wants to solve this murder without the usual challenges and without her new partner Sergeant viola Washington who seems a little skeptical about Poppy’s abilities to fall in and out of trouble that she doesn’t create.  This story is loaded with plenty of characters with character, plenty of suspects, and plenty amazing descriptive foods. Speaking of foods, there are more gluten free goodies and crazy aunt escapades plus the unusual interactions between Figaro, Poppy’s cozy companion cat, and the guests who come to stay at her B&B with their pets, feline drama at its finest.  Speaking of the guests, they provide a bit of comedy relief as well…No need to read the past stories to understand the gist of this one, but you are going to want to anyway. I am glad to see that Poppy is learning, from Figaro no less, that she is good enough, beautiful enough, and special enough, for the likes of Gia. The very end of this one left me blinking back a few tears on Poppy’s behalf and I still say that what goes around comes around and that it would be poetic justice if someone who has a bit in common with a crab sign had to resort to pleading with Poppy to help clear their name(s) ahem, ahem. 

Batter Off Dead
Maddie Day
Kensington Publishing

An unsolved murder from the past might give clues to a similar murder in the present and both involve Buck’s Dad. An emotionally charged mystery that has you wondering how can there not be a connection to the past, but it was so very long ago. There are suspects who seem both, likely and unlikely, friendly and unfriendly, as people come and go for a bite to eat at the Pans and Pancakes restaurant and store.  Some suspects are looking to give some friendly and not so friendly competition by way of a food truck and more. Speaking of food, as always, Ms. Day graciously shares Robbie‘s recipes at the end of the book which includes a blueberry spritzer cocktail recipe, perfect for the summertime or when you want to remember the summer time. 

Carmel Pecan Roll Murder

Joanne Fluke

Kensington

It is hard to believe that Hannah Swenson, owner of the Cookie Jar and most eligible bachelorette with a business in Lake Eden, is 40. I woman whose cookie creation skills are only slightly eclipsed by her sleuthing skills. This latest installment is chalk full of characters, clues, and culinary delights. The story had me stumped in a few places and I truly enjoyed how the ladies in Hannah's family danced their way around the sloshed celebrity.   While I have always been team Norman, I must say that there was a side to Mike  that I would never have expected and it isn't what you think. A cliff hanger ending to be sure, so while I wait for the next Hannah Swenson story, I'll keep myself busy making Butterscotch Delight Cookies and Corned Beef Beef Hash quiche.

Murder on an Irish Farm  (An Irish Village Mystery)

Carlene O'Connor

Kensington

The much anticipated and postponed wedding day is finally here! Or so I thought... Great plot, more twists and turns than a Celtic knot. Fifty years have passed since the groom did a "runner" or at least that is what everyone thought. A missing groom (not Macdara), missing money (30 quid), and many suspects (at least 5). Suspects who are a little silver, but even if they are all over 60 who is to say they didn't push their luck by pushing a second victim into the slurry pit (yuck). Garda Siobhán is bound and determine aka stubborn and will not rest/wed until the killer or killers are found. An excellent character, from her steel trap mind, her quick wit, her unwavering loyalty to family, to her brown bread (recipe found in Murder at an Irish Christmas). I am definitely making the eclairs recipe found at the conclusion of the story as well as curried chips, recipe not supplied but so easy that even and "eejit" (said with a bit of brogue) could make em.

Honey Roasted (A Coffeehouse Mystery)

Cleo Coyle

Published by Berkley 

I’ve missed the Village and Clare Cosi. It has been more years than I care to admit since I last read a mystery, and I am very happy to report that this latest installment does not disappoint. Clare has a wedding/honeymoon to plan, a new coffee to debut, and a bee problem. Multiple mysteries, life threatening situations, a romance intervention, many cups of coffee, and did I mention recipes, oh the wonderful recipes!  Great story full of relatable characters, interesting and fun facts, plus the most exquisite descriptions of foods and beverages. Plus a plethora of red herrings to keep you guessing, so yes you might want to grab a mystery reader’s journal to keep track of everyone and everything. Looking forward to making many of the recipes, both sweet and savory alike!

FEBRUARY 15th RELEASES

Caught and Collared

Jackie Layton

Published by Beyond the Page

Wedding planning should not include murder solving; however, Andi Grace is really good at multi-tasking. Which makes sense since she runs a flourishing pet care business and is looking to expand her offerings to include grooming. Much like the dogs she walks, she seems to have a sixth sense about people and is always looking to lend a helping hand. So much more than just Southern hospitality, it’s a part of her, much like her name, a certain amount of Grace when dealing with others, be they man or beast, dog or drama queen, from the gruff to the clueless and all those in-between.  Was it the obnoxious attitude or something from a cold case that brought about the podcasters dip in the pool. This installment definitely had me on the edge of my seat turning pages faster and faster as both Andi Grace and I followed the clues, stopping just long enough to look for a dress that could make her say YES. The perfect story to read while snacking on Oatmeal Raisin Pecan cookies and a Coke.

January 2022 New Release Cozies

Thank you to the authors, publishers, and NetGalley for providing these ARCs in exchange for honest reviews.

JANUARY 25th RELEASES

Hot and Sour Suspects
A Noodle Shop Mystery
Vivien Chien
St. Martin Paperbacks

Speed dating sounds like a hot idea to bring more customers to the Ho Lee Noodle House, located in the Asia Village, Fairview Park, Ohio. Even restaurant manager Lana’s mom is supportive of the idea, after all you must pay to play, but it turns sour when one player is found dead after his date, leaving Rina on the top of the suspect list.  Kimmy and Megan are quick to suggest that they sleuth out the suspects while boyfriend/Detective Aidan, as always, requests that she be careful. It isn’t like she goes looking for trouble, oh wait yes she does and usually ends up stumbling right into it. As always, Vivien Chin delivers an entertaining cozy with a sassy sleuth, supportive sidekicks, a little romance, and a lot of clues to sift through. I am looking forward to the next one, although you should know that this is a stand-alone with plenty of back story sprinkled throughout.  

Up to No Gouda
Linda Reilly
Published by Poisoned Pen Press

First in a new series, and there is nothing cheesy about it except for the wonderful sounding sandwiches. Excellent narration by Mia Gaskin. Dream of a lifetime turns into a real life nightmare. Carly, recent widow and new restaurant owner of a grilled cheese bistro learns that the new building owner is kicking her out to build a boutique for his fiancé.  Lyle Bagley, is the reason Carly and her BFF haven’t been on speaking terms since high school. So you can guess who the victim is and unfortunately, Carly’s hard working helper is at the top of the suspect list to be grilled. Not everybody enjoyed interacting with Lyle, not even his own brother so there are plenty of likely suspects, plenty of red herrings, and plenty of yummy sounding sandwiches like Smoky Steals the Bacon.

JANUARY 22nd RELEASES

Murder at a Scottish Social

Traci Hall

Published by Kensington

Paisley Shaw meets the Mean Girls who became the Ladies Who Lunch. They lunch and gossip, and backstab, and get murdered. All Paisley wants to do is be a successful shop owner, a good Mum, take care of her Grandpa, and enjoy the company of friends at the weekly Knit and Sip get together. Yet here she goes again, being in the wrong place at the right time to help the well dressed detective Zeffer. This series makes me want to visit Scotland and visit not only Paisley's town of Nairn, but also her shop even though I don't know the first thing about knitting or yarn.. An engaging tale where is seems that one keeps their friends close and maybe their enemies closer. Plenty of of suspects because the victim was plenty awful, and what a horrible way to be done in, by food. Speaking of which, I think I will be pairing this book with a nice piece of salmon and some rosemary potatoes for a cozy dinner.  

JANUARY 11th RELEASES

Crimes and Covers

Amanda Flowers

Published by Crooked Lane Books

Wedding time for Violet Waverly and David Rainwater, which means it is time to find something old, new, borrowed, and blue. How about an old book, a new acquaintance, a borrowed book, and a lady with the blues and a questionable family tree? Speaking of trees, one thing to know about Violet‘s family bookstore, Charming Books, is that it has a birch tree in the middle of it that is very, very special. While is not magic, the tree or perhaps the essence of the tree has a magic about it. I also believe that Faulkner the store crow and Emerson the store cat are both smarter than the average cozy companions. Perhaps it is the tree, or maybe it is the spring from which Violet must gather water from each day to keep the tree alive. Books can appear as if you summoned them and often times they give hints to help    figure out which way to go with a mystery. Ah yes, the mystery. What do you say to someone who believes so passionately that they are in fact a descendant of a famous author of days gone by? Believes to the point of obsession? Violet, like all cozy main characters, has a heart of gold and the tracking abilities of a bloodhound. How she makes time to solve a mystery surrounding a rare book, solve not one but two murders, make a small bit of peace with her traveling troubadour father, and get married is completely beyond me. Must be all the help she gets from her BFF Sadie, Mayor Grandma Daisy, Faulkner & Emerson (the cat who knows how to slip out in and of most places) and her new husband Police Chief Rainwater. All of the aforementioned characters have been expertly created with such unusual and original personalities that you feel like you know them or at least would want to get to know them. 

Three Book Problem

Vicki Delaney

Published by Crooked Lane Books

Much like Sherlock, Jemma must use her deductive reasoning and her smashing English accent to look at all the signs, as there are more than four, when the party host becomes the victim of a darting.  A most unusual gathering of people to supposedly discuss the Cannon while in period dress at a mysterious Victorian home. It also seems that this group has very little good to say about their host. Jemma has a bit of an advantage over Sherlock, she has baker/cook extraordinaire Jayne Wilson, her best friend, for a Watson, and Detective Ryan Ashburton, her very clever and handsome boyfriend instead of Scotland Yard. No one is above suspicion and everyone has a motive, or at least the appearance of a motive, even the widow who seems a tad too dramatic about her great love and loss. Excellent read with red herrings, brilliant deductions and perfectly paired with mini mushroom tarts.

JANUARY 4th RELEASES

A Fatal Family Feast

Lynn Cahoon

Published by Lyrical Press

Family can be challenging to say the least especially when it involves life changing events. Felicia hasn’t looked to her parents, especially her father, for permission much less their blessing with regards to her life choices for a number of years. So, Just because her betrothed, Estebe , is the old fashioned sort and requested his Mr. Williams’ blessing it doesn’t mean that he won’t meet Felicia at the altar on the blessed day.   Emotions run high, and not even the ex-boyfriend aka Mr. Williams’ pick for Felicia is going to stand in the way. A dead body, the ex’s dead body, well that might be another story as Estebe is on the top of the suspect list. Angie and crew (of the County Seat restaurant) are ready and willing to chase the clues and red herrings while keeping the wedding plans on track. There are so many suspects and so many mentions of great foods. Of course, when the main character, Angie, runs a farm-to-fork restaurant how could there not be. Thank you to author Lynn Cahoon for including a recipe for Workday Quick and Easy Risotto; it was not only quick and easy but also quite tasty.