March 2022 New Cozies

Thank you to the authors, publishers, and NetGalley for providing these ARCs in exchange for honest reviews. The recipe reviews and food pairing found on my Instagram feed  are of my own doing. 

MARCH 29th RELEASES

Death by Chocolate Chip Cupcake 
(A Death By Chocolate Mystery #5)
Sarah Graves
Published by  Kensington Cozies

 This one had a distinct Agatha Christie feel to it but instead of Miss Marple you get Jacoba (just call her Jake) and Ellie partners in the Chocolate Moose, chocolate themed bakery. Picture this, a dark and stormy night, a strange cast of Hollywood types, a mysterious murder, and catering by Jake and Ellie with assistance from members of Jake’s family. Yep sounds like an Agatha Christie whodunit to me. Strange sounds and an even stranger hostess; Ingrid Merryfield, but she is from Hollywood after all.   Sometime what sounds like a great opportunity, a great way to get the money you need to do an upgrade or two and make it through the offseason is not all it is cracked up to be. Spooky does not begin to cover it and you cannot help but to continue to read. Jake and Ellie are the perfect tag team/dynamic duo, always having each other’s back. Jake is generally trying to look out for everyone and is usually pretty successful at it, she has past experience of being able to walk away from the Mob and not have to worry about looking back. I was in the dark when it came to figuring out the guilty party, even when they were able to move the giant tree and get the power restored; I was still in the dark. Obviously with a book title invoking a delicious baked good, there has to be recipes, right? Ellie goes out of her way in each book to come up with something new and tasty and while I REALLY appreciate the inclusion of a recipe and a chocolate one at that, I REALLY wish that the book title baked good recipe would also be included. J

A Matter of Hive and Death

Nancy Coco

Published by Kensington

Most appropriately named! The beekeeper community is all a buzz due to the rash of hive vandalism up and down the coast that seems to culminate in the death of  Wren‘s friend and mentor Elias.  It is an unwritten law that a cozy main character cannot possibly sit by and do nothing, especially when her friend and fellow bee keeper, Klaus is picked up as a person of interest. Wren refuses to be a drone and just go about her business, Let it Bee, which is having its 2^nd anniversary sale requiring lots of freshly made product for the swarm of customers. She also refuses to be distracted by the sweet gestures of her old flame, Travis, who seems to have buzzed into town unexpectedly. So many unexpected occurrences and unexpected suspects and then there is the mystery of the hive vandals Gwen works her way through the clues while crafting products and treats such as Honey Peanut Butter cookies.

Pleading the Fish (Seaside Cafe Mysteries - Finale)

Bree Baker

Published by Poisoned Pen Press

OMGOSH, the prologue had me in tears…All good things must come to an end (yes this is a VERY good thing/series) and what a way to finish it off! Where to begin, there’s the Swan family curse, a murder (because there is always a murder), Everly’s insistence on sleuthing (alone on far too many occasions), Grady shaking his head (on far too many occasions), the Charm Town Cryer, lemon cake (yes, I will be making that recipe), and so many suspects, plus a dash-bucket of fish and seaweed (yuck). Take your time reading this, it will be hard because it is a page turner and a tear jerker. Written in such a way that you feel like you are right there with Everly cheering her on, warning her to NOT ask those kinds of questions when on her own, and wanting to cover your eyes but you can’t put the book down. This series has been wrapped with a pretty cover and all the loose strings, tied up to make a most wonderful knot, intricate, beautiful, and strong. Kudos to Julie Anne Lindsay for another series that was extremely well done. And a HUGE thanks for including an epilogue with more than one voice. Now which tea should I make to go with some lemon cake to bolster a hero’s heart? 

Three Shots to the Wind (A Chloe Jackson Seaglass Saloon Mystery)

Sherry Harris

Published by Kensington Books

Chloe's change in attitude lead to a change in latitude when she decided to honor her best friend Boone's last request, to look out for his Grandma Vivi. Side note, Grandma Vivi owns a bar, well half owns, since Chloe was the beneficiary of Boone's estate, and doesn't really need anyone looking after her. But that is old news from the first book so be sure to pick up after you finish this one. Now, in this installment, we find out why Chloe had no qualms about heading back to Florida and the Seaglass Saloon. Bound and determined to win her back even if it kills him (whoops), Perry goes for over the top antics using showy gifts mysteriously delivered culminating in an expensive meal he never shows up to. He obviously doesn't know Chloe like he thought he did. Maybe Chloe didn't know Perry as well either. Chloe is a former librarian whom you can completely relate to, and she is about as good with mixing drinks as I am. Glass of wine or tea anyone? Tea, like you could pair with a po'boy sandwich. Want to know something else she is good at, sleuthing. Worried that new like (nope not in the love zone, yet) interest Rhett/Rip (not sure which name I like better) may be a person of interest right alongside of herself, Chloe starts looking for suspects with the help of her friends, la few local cozy characters. While she may have left Perry once upon a time, she can't turn her back on finding justice for him. 

MARCH 15th RELEASES

Lock and Skeleton Key

Gigi Pandian

Published by Minotaur Books

This book birthday was was like a birthday gift to me, since we both shared the date this year. A magical story with magic, murder, misdirection, and a Tempest. This cozy captured my attention right away, from the excellent narration and voice talents of Soneela Nankani, to the blended cultures and even a touch of Irish folklore. Such a unique backstory with the Secret Staircase Construction company and the Raj family curse. So much misdirection but isn't that what magic is all about and there was some serious magic in this mystery. A well developed cast of characters, from Ivy the veritable Velma from the Scooby Doo gang to "Uncle" Robbie who could think on his toes. A super supportive family that sticks together through thick and thin, triumph and loss, and who might just put Tempest until lock and skeleton key to protect her. Ah but she is too good of a magician to be "locked up" and will keep at it until this "locked door" mystery is solved and the killer is behind bars.    

Saddled up 4 Murder (A Sophie Kimball Mystery #9)

JC Eaton

Kensington Books 

Sophie Kimball rides again! Phee is one of my favorite characters and Steadman; her Mom’s/Harriet’s dog; is my favorite neurotic little cozy companion! The hijinks of this crew will keep you in stitches, as once again Phee is beseeched by her mother Harriet, and the book club ladies, to solve the mysterious death of the Deli Witch before club member Louise is hauled off to jail or worse, it negatively affects the Bye Bye Birdie event and Harriet’s chance to appear on Sonoran Living. One interesting fact to note about Sophie Kimball mysteries is that there are always two mysteries taking place, the dire peril as perceived by Harriet and the more legitimate case being investigated by Williams Investigations by Marshall Gregory (Phee’s fiancé) and Nate Williams.  This time to Williams Investigations team is on the hunt for horse thieves and apparently that crime falls under jurisdiction of the agricultural department, go figure! The (usually) local mystery that Phee takes on often involves information gathering in the most unusual places, such as the dog park in the wee hours of the morning, and talking to the most unusual of people such as a group of Wiccan’s courtesy of her Aunt Ina. Thank goodness for Dunkin Donuts coffee for the early morning sleuthing and places like the Angry Crab Shack for decompressing with a friend while munching on lobster crostini (my choice for inspired cozy/food pairing). This series is highly entertaining and will keep you enthralled on each page as you literally laugh out loud and shake your head, much like Phee.