50 Book Reviews Reviews Published

Thursday, November 16, 2023

May 2023 Cozy New Releases

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.  


Murder With Earl Grey Tea
A Daisy's Tea Garden Mystery
Karen Rose Smith
Kensington Cozies

As with any cozy, it is a little bit sadder when a good character dies rather than an obnoxious one, which is all the more reason why Daisy must work to solve this latest mystery. Lydia left behind an adorable little girl who has a loving family but is really too young to understand why her mom will not be coming home. I really liked the realness to this one, Jazzy, Daisy’s teenage daughter, suggests therapy to combat the PTSD that Daisy is feeling as a result of finding one too many victims. Not to worry, there are still all the happy feels that are normally found in a cozy, such as the cheer surrounding the prep work of the Alice in Wonderland children’s tea event. There are also the multiple humorous encounters between Daisy’s aunt Iris and Daisy’s extremely competitive suitors. In the midst of work at the tea garden and helping out with an event at the Farm Barn, Daisy doesn’t have much time to work on her own projects, namely her upcoming wedding. This story keeps you turning pages to see what Daisy will do and how she will handle each new challenge including her daughter’s family moving to a place of their own. Thoroughly engaging, this cozy stands on its own and thoroughly entertains. 


Murder Off the Books
By the Book Series
Tamara Berry
Poisoned Pen Press 

Erma Bombeck meets Agatha Christie in a small Oregon town with both quaint and quirky characters. This is the third and best one so far. A possible serial killer lady’s man who targets mature ladies with healthy bank accounts has become Tess‘s mom’s boy toy. Tess finds out when her mom makes an unannounced arrival that coincides with Tess’s open house for the recently converted bookstore where the new Detective Gonzalez novel will be launched. Such comedy of mysterious errors as a hunk of money shows up with the hunk of sushi tuna at the same time as the reporter who requested to interview Tess. My favorite part of the whole book was when Tess was both indignant and hurt because Neptune Jones had been asked by Sheriff Boyd to stop by for glass of “desk whiskey”. You see Tess had never been offered the bottom drawer drink.  The back and forth between Tess and well, everybody, makes you laugh out loud. A few red herring to go with that tuna, a little bit of a love triangle, a cameo from Wingbat the hacker, and a little bit of peril added for good measure. You will not be able to put this one down or keep a straight face. Looking forward to the next one!


Witch Upon A Star
Witch Way Librarian Series
Angela Sanders
Kensignton

Josie is a book whispering librarian and a justice seeking witch with a crush on the local sheriff, Sam Wilfred, who smiles when he is angry and frowns when he is happy. Welcome to the quaint and cozy town of Wilfred, Oregon and by quaint, I mean that it is quite possibly the smallest small town in the cozy universe. The library also serves as a bath house for the local fortune reader, a replacement café while Darla’s is being rebuilt, which means that people are constantly coming in and out of the library kitchen. Definitely not a run of the mill library as it is also home to Josie and her witch familiar, Rodney. Once a corporate town of old it is now home to a new retreat center that is hosting the one and only Cookie Masterson, life coach, and health guru. Josie’s sister Jean is in town to attend the conference because she has a calling. Ah but is it the family magic that is calling Jean or is it the siren song of the “Ready, Set, Go” scheme? You see, Jean doesn’t know about big sister Josie’s gifts and there is a good chance that Jean has her own but doesn’t really know it. This one had me stumped and second guessing who the guilty person was because there were plenty of suspects for both murders. Such the pity that the café’s big re-opening had to be marred by a little breaking, entering, and stabbing. I have read all books in the series but you do not have to know the series to know what is going on in the story. There is plenty of backstory to keep you in the loop as you “arm chair detective” your way through the clues and redirects. While food isn’t mentioned often the reopening of the café was a big deal, and I love that Darla was so inspired by her time in the south that she offers southern dishes, like shrimp and grits, which I felt was the perfect pairing.


Give Fudge A Chance
A Candy-Coated Mystery                                              
Nancy Coco
Kensington
 

Worst...proposal...ever, but I’ll get to that later. This is the 11th book in the Candy-Coated Mystery series which comes complete with amazing recipes, fudge ones especially. The story starts off with the annual Mackinac county fair that has all sorts of midway rides, games, and even a haunted house that comes complete with a dead body. In other stories from this series, Allie McMurphy’s maltipoo Mal is usually the cadaver dog so to speak but this time it is all on Allie. Allie is a professionally trained chocolatier who makes amazing fudge and runs her families inn, the McMurphy on Mackinac Island.  In addition to a murder with no apparent motive, there is also 20 year candy contest upset, a parkour plummet, seniors who love drama, surprise social media vlogger, and the pitiful proposal. Allie is trying to steer clear of trouble and promises Rex her police officer boyfriend that she won’t get involved unless she or the Inn are involved…famous last words. So between fending off nasty rumors of unfair play at the county fair, crafting fudge, keeping Carol from going off the rails with the book club (investigators), keeping handsome Harry at bay and pregnant Jenny away from trouble, Allie still manages to get ditch her vlogging shadows and search for clues. A great stand-alone but some much better as part of the series, not to mention the great cookbook aspect. I give this one a 5 Fudge rating!

Monday, October 16, 2023

September 2023 Cozy New Releases

 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.  


Case of the Bleus
A Cheese Shop Mystery
Korina Moss
Minotaur Books

By far the best Cheese Shop Mystery yet. While I am not a fan of the Bleu I am a fan of of this series. This latest mystery, much like bleu cheese, has a lovely vein/mystery running through it surrounding the will of Willow's recently deceased mentor Max Dumas, and the secret of his amazing and renowned Church Bleu. Max liked puzzles, riddles, and mysteries, so of course, his last wishes are not necessarily straight forward with regards to his Church Bleu. I am reminded of a line from the movie "National Treasure" but instead of a secret lying with Charlotte it is being kept by Rebecca. Willow's former coworkers are interesting group of suspects who seemed like contestants on a reality TV show rather than coworkers and colleagues. Then there is the estranged daughter, Maxine, and the over the top Hugo Potts, president of the board of directors of the Northwest Cheese Society. I had not figured out the who or why or the where before the big reveal. Willow and #TeamCheese do their best rendition of a Scooby Doo and the gang plan, which means that Willow is smart enough to live to sleuth another day because she is part of a team. She is not as good at keeping herself completely out of harm's way and I fear for her blossoming relationship with Detective Heath/Jay/Heath as it seems to be getting a tad wilted.  Before you start reading the book, I would like to suggest that you skip to the very end, no peeking before the recipe section, and make one of the wonderful cheese related dishes. I tried the Gorgonzola Garlic Bread and paired it with a bottle of mead (yes I actually had one on hand). 


Death by a Thousand Sips
A Witches Brew Mystery
Gretchen Rue
Crooked Lane Books

This is the second in the Witches Brew Mysteries series, and did you notice that the first book is oh so cutely displayed on this cover. Phoebe Winchester is both a tea shop owner/book store owner by trade and a witch with probability powers and slow motion time abilities (in a pinch). She also seems to be developing a knack at solving mysteries. What should have been an average estate sale Weatherly mansion, with a decent haul of mass media paperbacks turns out to be an unfortunate incident of murder. The suspects include Riley the disowned by association family member whose grandfather had never met him. Riley felt that the victim got what she deserved. Was it Franny, the quiet assistant who took a verbal lashing from Madelaine right before Madelaine turns up dead? Or maybe it was the oh-so attractive personal secretary to Mr. Weatherly who given…pretty much everything. Since Phoebe was the person to find Madelaine dead, she figures she is on the suspect list as well and needs to do what she can to get off of it by finding the killer. Thank goodness Phoebe has friends such as her mentor, Honey who helps with her memory by way of a little magic in a bottle for under the pillow. Rich, the handsome PI is also ready to lend a hand both professionally and personally. This was a great cozy with engaging characters and a clever plot that kept me turning pages while taking notes and trying to avoid red herrings. I was also impressed by the recipes in the back and cannot wait to try my hand at making the sourdough starter. I will be on the lookout for the next book in the series to add to my TBR list.


Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas
A Year-Round Christmas Mystery
Vicki Delaney
Crooked Lane Books 

It is Christmas time in the town of Randolph, the year round Christmas town and they are getting ready for a musical production of The Christmas Carol. Let me start by saying WOW book six of the Year Round Christmas series has more drama involved than any community theater group should be allowed, especially for this time of year.  Our sleuth Merry knows all about performers and their temperament her mom is a real diva, seriously, she is a retired Met Opera diva. So was it artistic differences, acting ambitions, or something else that leads to the death of Paula who has been cast as Mrs. Cratchit? Since the murder occurred in Merry’s store, Mrs. Claus’s Treasures, during business hours, and Jackie her assistant was the over eager understudy, Merry has no choice but to ask questions and get to the bottom of all the drama. The story moves at a good pace and Merry does such a great job with not asking the wrong people the right questions and getting herself into perilous predicaments. This is a fun holiday cozy that keeps you turning pages and wondering why Paula was the victim. 



Tuesday, August 22, 2023

July 2023 Cozy New Releases

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.  


Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant
A Beacon Bakeshop Mystery
Darci Hannah
Kensington Cozies

WOW, this was a harrowing cozy with some nail biting, page turning, reading-with-the-lights-on parts. Oh and some really good recipes! This time the Beacon Bakeshop owned by Lindsey Bakewell plays host to ghost hunters, high school hijinks, and a macabre murder. On the plus side there are recipes for the wonderful sounding baked goods such as pumpkin scones with maple glaze (YUM). A live airing of a ghost hunter group goes terribly wrong and now the bakeshop crew must put away the treats and use all their best tricks to solve this latest mystery. There are plenty of suspects, a fellow teacher, the high school hooligans, oddly reclusive teenagers, the neighbor, and a treasure hunter. There are also plenty of tasty treats and recipes at the end of the story. This edition of the Beacon Bakeshop Mysteries comes with happy news and some not so happy news but I don’t want to spoil any of it. 


Death of A Clam Digger
A Hayley Powell Mystery
Lee Hollis
Kensington Publishing Corp.

Romeo and Juliet meets the Hatfields and the McCoys at a clam bake. As usual, we are supplied with a really good mystery that draws you in because you think you know what is going on, but do you really? Then there are the column contributions and wonderful beverage and food recipes. I had no idea there were that many ways to prepare clams. Hayley does a great job of running the restaurant, being a staunch supporter of young love, and keeping her jealousy in check (for the most part). As usual, this is a stand alone cozy mystery, shoot, Hayley didn't know about 's past girlfriend so we are all in that dark about that one. I was quite invested in this story and could not only feel Hayley's emotions but you empathize with her as well. The usual supporting cast of characters, of which I must say, Mona, is one of my favorites. How that woman has any energy is beyond me. A good number of well laid clues as well as a few bait and switch red herrings. I so wish that my choice for the guilty party had been a part of the dastardly deed, but the ending worked out just as well. Looking forward to the next Hayley Powell mystery and appetizing recipes. In the mean time, I will try out the WOW Your Guests Easy Clam Cakes for a weekend treat.  


Pink Lemonade Cake Murder
A Hannah Swenson Mystery
Joanne Fluke
Kensington Cozies

Reading a Hannah Swenson Mystery is like sitting down with an old friend. This is a comfortable cozy series that incorporates murder, mystery, and mouth-watering sweet and savory treats. This newest trip to the Cookie Jar, picks right up from where the last one ended, with Mike contemplating the apathy he now feels for his job. The body drop is a few chapters in, not too far but not right away. The suspects start with Dolores, Hannah’s Mom (as she finds the body) so I guess that Hannah can no longer be teased for being a body magnet. This one takes a different avenue than what I am used to with Mike not being a lead player. The clues were laid out as well as the recipes and the story moves at a quick pace. I am still not a fan of the triangle. It also seems that Bill and crew have become dependent on Hannah as a consultant which is not how I saw the series going. All in all it still delivers on cozy content and great easy to make recipes like the Sweet & Sour Chicken for the crockpot that I plan to make with pork instead of chicken.  



Fatal Groove
The Record Shop Mysteries
Olivia Blacke
St. Martin 

Bluebonnets, blue lips, and men in blue (I am imagining blue).  This is the second in the series but my first time reading and I was thoroughly taken by the three sisters. Juniper aka Juni is a completely relatable character. In fact she is someone you would want to know as well as being your barista. The blue bonnet festival is in high gear and the annual treasure hole digging has lots of participants but not one of them strikes gold or fabled stolen money. What does happen, is that Mayor Bob enjoys a cup of coffee and that is the last thing he does. That coffee came from the Sip & Spin Record’s festival booth belonging to the Jessup sisters; Juni, Tansy, and Maggie. One sister served him the coffee and another found his body. Well that is most unfortunate. The last thing the sisters need is for their new business venture, the Sip & Spin Record shop, to be closed, possibly for good. It turns out that Mayor Bob was hunting for the famous very money from the bank robbery from 1956. He isn’t the only one since it looks like his office is missing a few odd items. Mayor Bob liked to pick up robbery related items from Ebay.  I have always thought that if you can’t find it on Amazon most likely it will show up on Ebay. Unfortunately for Mayor Bob, he isn’t the only treasure hunter and just maybe he found the clue they all needed. Normally the spouse would be the first on the suspect list, but Mrs. Mayor was on an Alaskan Cruise. I went on one of those once and they have the best of everything. Except for coffee, the cruise coffee does not compare to the Sip & Spin offerings.  There are some amazing flavor combination coffee creations and I think that recipes should be included. There are suspects at City Hall as well as local treasure hunters. No one, especially the local police think that the Jessup sisters have anything do with it. After all, Juni is semi-dating the detective Beauregard Russel aka Beau the guy who broke her heart years ago. Juni is also semi-dating Teddy Garza longtime friend. Maggie is team Beau while Tansy is team Teddy. Which brings me to the only part of this series that I am not a fan of is the triangle. I am strictly a straight line person, or rather a one sleuth with one romantic interest. It can be instant attraction, old friends to new love, or even a slow burn between stubborn suitors. I get too angsty over more than one romance because I am almost sure that it won’t end well for someone and I like the HEA (Happy Ever After)  aspects of cozies.



Wednesday, August 9, 2023

June 2023 New Release 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.  


Hidden Beneath
Maine Clambake Mysteries
Barbara Ross
Kensington

This is a puzzle wrapped in a mystery wrapped in a cold case. You are instantly drawn in by the unexplained and kept on the edge of your seat as Julia hunts down secrets. There are SO many secrets from the past that have an effect on the present and the future, that you have no choice but to be drawn in and enthralled as each clue is uncovered. While this could very well be the last book in the series as there are several loose ends tied up in very pretty bows, there are also some doors closed and windows opened. Julia is an example of a great daughter who is willing to help with the "messy" stuff and the messy stuff. This is a stand-alone cozy so you will not be lost but you will be wanting to start back at book one, if not for the story then for the incredible recipes. The only part of this mystery that is not a mystery is how great the food sounds and tastes, as recipes are included at the conclusion of the story.


A Cornish Seaside Murder
A Nosy Parker Mystery
Fiona Leitch
One More Chapter 

This cozy illustrates that no matter how awesome of a sleuth, a chef, a former London cop, oh and mom (cannot forget the mom part) you cannot do it all at the same time, and do it all well.  Josie Parker is an amazing character as we can certainly see throughout the other books. It has been quiet since Jodie has passed the necessary exams to join the local constabulary as a type of ‘floating’ detective sergeant. That soon changes when Jodie, acting the part of the Penstowan Siren, happens upon a fisherman drowned in a water trough. Upon discovering  the theft of the Stone Mermaid statue from the church, old man Jago Thomas claims that the Mermaid turned vengeful Siren  is back to wreak havoc on the fisherman.   Josie is sure that there is something fishy going on but it doesn’t have anything to do with a missing mermaid statue or a gothic feminist reimagining of the Siren myth.  Instead of having several obvious suspects, the reader has the opportunity to follow clues right along with DS Parker and DI Withers aka Josie and her hot copper boyfriend Nathan. This is a great book for any armchair sleuth and as a plus it comes with a great cookie recipe so you can enjoy some cookies while you are reading to see if Josie can in fact balance it all out between catering for a 100th birthday party, helping Daisy with her gothic feminist reimaging, detecting with the DI, and staying safe as promised to Daisy and her mum. I give this 5 out of 5 mermaid/sirens.


How the Murder Crumbles
Cookie Shop Mystery
Debra Sennefelder
Crooked Lane Books

This series starter doesn’t waste time with the killings. First chapter has the death of a relationship and chapter two has the body drop. Ouch, Mallory, our marketing maven turned cookie artist, manages to get herself on the suspect list because of a very public, very heated disagreement over the author of the Almond Melt-Away Cookie recipe. So let that be a warning, do not tell someone that they will get what is coming. Plenty of suspects, in fact almost everyone who isn’t a family member or friend that is like a family member was on my list including the reporter. What a tangled web that Queen Bea weaved, she sure wasn’t liked by, well, anyone. The plot is engaging and the clues are laid out nicely. I had no idea until the end because of the red herrings jumping up left and right, plus the inclusion of a second body drop. This was an excellent story that kept me entertained and craving cookies. I am looking forward to trying out the recipes included at the conclusion in both the e-version and the audio. Hopefully the cookies will tied me over until the next Cookie Shop Mystery.


Death Knells and Wedding Bells
A Lighthouse Library Mystery
Eva Gates
Crooked Lane Books

 

The big day goes off as planned for Lucy the lighthouse librarian and her husband mayor/town dentist Connor. The reception has a few hiccups, might be because a few people had a little more to drink than would be prudent, plus a little family drama for added measure. What happens next makes this an interesting mystery as one person is found dead and another has gone missing. The answer seems obvious to one person, the new detective who may or may not be taking over for Sam Watson who is looking to retire. Maybe Detective North is just trying to make a good impression on the management but he sure isn’t doing such a good job with the folks of cozy Outer Banks community. Lucy is doing what she can to keep Connor from worrying about his new bride while at the same time, Lucy trying to do her best to help Birdie and Eddie with this troublesome predicament. The suspects are few but the clues are many but which clues are the right ones? Where did Aunt Joyce find Wayne Fortunado anyway, no one seemed to like him, Aunt Joyce included. The past meets the present and forever changes the future. This one ends with a nail biting, edge of your seat, page turning conclusion that completely surprised me.    


Sunday, August 6, 2023

August 2023 Cozy New Releases

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.  


Birder She Wrote
A Meg Langslow Mystery
Donna Andrews
Minotaur Publishing

This isn’t your ordinary story about the birds and the bees. This book is filled with hummingbirds and honeybees, NIMBYs, and a (much) lesser Southern Living magazine, plus a murder. Meg Langslow is one of my all-time favorite cozy protagonists because she has an amazing sense of humor plus ability to be rational and level-headed which probably stems from the fact that she carries a notebook that “tells her when to breathe.”   Did I mention that she has the most unusual job of all the cozy main characters that I have read about, she is a blacksmith. Meg is unlike anyone I have ever known, yet she is completely relatable. The mystery draws you in and the characters keep you turning pages.  Even though I have read this series for years, I would not be lost if this was my first. The back stories are nicely woven in to each and every book and this one is no different. This book was a pleasant way to spend an afternoon, and an evening, and an afternoon.


A Crime in the Crumbs
A Key West Food Critic Mystery
Lucy Burdette
Crooked Lane Books

Truly enjoyable as I would give this 5 scones out of 5. This newest Key West Food Critic Mystery brings the Scone Sisters, introduced in the Scone of Contention (book 11) to Key West for a UK Bakeoff in the US challenge. It seems to spiral like a cinnamon roll after their arrival, missing bakeware supplies, a BnB that goes up in flames, contestants who aren't the best bakers, a missing agent, an amazing cook who is dealing with a controlling husband (yep, he is the victim) and Ms. Gloria's over protective sons to round it all out. Hailey is amazing, as usual, and you don't have to be familiar with the series to understand who she is, what she does, and who her friends are. I had an idea of who the guilty party was but the red herrings did make me question myself numerous times, plus the race to the reveal had me on the edge of my seat turning pages just as quickly as possible to get to the whole story. The only thing more satisfying than this mystery is the amazing recipes that are included, which seems only fair since Ms. Burdette has us salivating with the food descriptions found on almost every other page. I for one will be making some yummy garlicky shrimp for dinner tomorrow and cinnamon scones to follow for breakfast the next morning. 


Halloween Cupcake Murder
Kensington Cozies

Much like a candy corn, these stories are short, sweet, and multilayered. Each story has incorporated a cupcake as a main part of the story. These are quick reads or novellas, which whet your appetite for the series that they are taken from. All three stories are stand-alone but you will want to read the other offerings in the various series.


Halloween Cupcake Murder
Carlene O’Connor

Did you know that Halloween or rather its roots were founded in Ireland? Samhain the ancient Druidic observance plays a big part in this mystery. There is also a mysterious Cave of the Cat painting, and a possible coven. What lead to the murder and what does a free cupcake with a key in the center have to do with it. Was it because the antiques store owner was a wheeler-dealer, a card shark, or a crazy old codger?  Expat Tara Mehan is left with the entire estate and she had only met the man the same day he died. If that doesn’t shout “investigate this mystery,” I am not sure what would.

Mrs. Claus and the Candy Corn Caper
Liz Ireland

Santa Land and candy corn craziness mixed with cupcakes, but what else would you expect Mrs. Claus to be dealing with. With each new holiday introduction, there seems to be murder and a little bit of Christmas Town chaos.   April Claus will need determine if the death was caused by a woman scorned, a baking betrayal or someone out for candy corn.

A Triple Layer Halloween Murder
Carol J. Perry

An astronaut, a missing baker, and a ginger cat with marmalade feet are the clues that Lee Barrett and husband/detective Pete Mondello have to work with to determine what happened to the local baker and why. Was it due to gambling debts or was there something else going on with his mysterious disappearance that ended in murder.


Wednesday, April 19, 2023

April 2023 New Release 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. 

APRIL 25TH RELEASES

An American in Scotland
A Scottish Isle Mystery
Lucy Connelly
Crooked Lane Books

Nice start with a slow build as to why Dr. Emilia McRoy‘s left Seattle for a small Scottish island that is as country cozy as you can get. Of course she isn’t there 24 hours before she is multitasking as the coroner as well as the town doctor. Small town folks often wear multiple hats, even Emilia’s new boss, Ewan Campbell, laird, constable, and mayor. I would love to hear this story in an audible version just to listen to the lovely accents. Great story development, friendly and varied town’s folks, a not so friendly victim, possible love interest(s), and delectable Scottish dishes provided by the Pic & Whistle. Some nice misdirects but I was able to follow along well enough to figure out the who done it, but I doubted myself about the why. I am already looking forward to the next one and another. 


Cinnamon Twisted
Deputy Donut Mysteries
Ginger Bolton
Kensington Publishing


Emily Westhill is not your average widowed young donut shop manager. First off, she also co-owns with Tom, the former chief of police who was her father in law when she was a 911 operator before her cop husband's tragic death. Emily and her cat Dep (short for Deputy Donut) store mascot and partner in crime-solving have been busy over the last few years and this story will be no different. It starts out like any other day, with the regulars, such as the knitting group making their way in for donuts and chit chat. A few unfamiliar faces pop in such as a pharmaceutical rep who seems a bit sketchy, says he is in town for business. Pamela Firtston, a new resident to town, who is renting a cabin from the family of Emily's friend Summer, stops by as well and interestingly enough she has a cat toy especially for Dep, that is shaped like a donut.  But that is not the only unusual occurrence. Emily returns a dropped earring to Pamela only to find her dead.  Now for some unknown reason, Emily is on the new Chief of Police's suspect list and her Detective boyfriend is not allowed near the case. It is not as though Emily doesn't have enough to take care between the donut shop and helping with her friends wedding festivities, the last thing she needs is to hounded by the Chief. How is that he was so close by when the 911 call went out in the first place and why is he so angry all of the time? This mystery is like a filled donut without a label, you just aren't sure what is in it but either way you know you're going to like it. So many suspects, and even a little sisterly rivalry from the past will play a key part. This cozy kept me turning pages and craving donuts. Thankfully there is a recipe for those wonderful cinnamon twists that is both easy to make and easy to eat. Looking forward to the next one, especially since Dep gave her consent to the new arrangement. 


Death by Chocolate Marshmallow Pie
A Death by Chocolate Mystery
Sarah Graves
Narrator Susan Boyce
Dreamscape Media

Jacobia, known as Jake to her friends, had a past, a past she drove away from just as fast as she could, what seemed like a lifetime ago. A part of that past showed up across the street from her chocolate shop, the Chocolate Moose, as a competitor chocolate shop. It all starts with competitor who had plans to run the Chocolate Moose out of business with manufactured pastries and rock bottom prices so he can put in condos. Guess who dies and guess who is the top suspect…If you haven’t read a Death by Chocolate mystery yet, this one will give you plenty of background to keep you intrigued and craving a good bit of chocolate.  Between the murder, the mystery of the locked glove box, a missing artist, and a colorful composition of suspects you are hooked. If that isn’t enough to entice you, the action on this one is just as high as the sugar content in marshmallows. This one is a wild and crazy ride that pushes the cozy boundaries, and makes for a story that has you on the edge of your seat.  This one might just be the series end as it seems to tie up a number of loose threads. Since I was listening to the audio I am not sure if the recipe for the Chocolate Marshmallow Pie is included so I am on the hunt for one, wish me luck! 


Dedication to Murder
Beyond the Page
Lauren Elliot
Kensington 

Grab the tissue and a peanut butter and banana sandwich (comfort food) to make it through this one. A wedding halted, a marriage not annulled, a mysterious wedding dress, an adopted child, a 70 year old cold case, and a copy of the Velveteen Rabbit left to a granddaughter. Oh and a murder, after all what is a cozy without a murder? The story is so well crafted that you are in complete agreement with Addie Greyborne, that the world has gone topsy-turvey and will never be the same again. It is heart wrenching to follow along as Addie solves not one but two murder mysteries, and this time, the police actually ask for her assistance because she is so good at noticing the littlest details. I am not sure what was more of a misdirect, the red herrings or the puzzles that needed to be solved, from a secret room to a missing journal. A great cozy that had a lot going on but you were never lost.  I must say, I was #teamSimon for all of the books once he was introduced, but now I just don’t know what he could possibly do to get back into Addie or my good graces.  

Paper Cuts
The Secret, Scone, and Book Society
Ellery Adams
Kensington Cozies

Ellery Adams once again proves that cozies aren’t fluffy and that cozy characters have an amazing amount of character development, depth, and diversity. Nora had started over in Magic Springs after a horrific life experience and she has the scars to prove it. She has a new business, a new home, a new group of supportive friends, and even a new romance. The last thing she expected was to come face to face with half of the reason for the night that changed Nora’s life forever. And yet it is about to be forever changed yet again as Nora who has been deemed a person of interest and is hounded by the new K9 detective who seems to have a bone to pick with her. Nora must dig deep, quite possibly deeper than she ever has before to not only forgive but to also find justice for the victim. The twists and turns of this plot almost make one dizzy but because the backstory is laid out so well you can follow along without getting lost. You may be able to figure out who did it but can you figure out why? So grab a pot of flowering tea and some Earl Grey Scones before settling to read this newest Secret, Book, and Scone Society mystery.   



Tuesday, March 14, 2023

March 2023 New Release 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 28TH RELEASES

A Flicker of Doubt
A Fairy Garden Mystery #4
Daryl Wood Gerber
Kensington Cozies

Not all fairy tales are sweet. This Fairy Garden Mystery touches on abusive behavior, temperamental artists, and unrequited love. This description might make the story sound a bit sour, but the wonderful recipes at the back of the story as just as sweet as Fiona the Fairy and Courtney, our protagonist. This story does an excellent job of painting a picture with bold contrasting characters, which have both motive and opportunity. Then there are the descriptions of Carmel that make you want to hop in the car and take a drive so you can see it for yourself. The author does a great job of incorporating back story so you can pick up any book from this series and not feel lost, but you will want to start at the beginning after reading just one. I was able to figure out the who and the why before the big reveal, but only just barely. 


Curds of Prey
A Cheese Shop Mystery
Korina Moss
St. Martin’s Paperbacks

It is crying shame that those wonderfully created cheese boards with their lovely arrangements of incredibly enticing cheeses were not enjoyed by shower guests. For those of you, who are not part of the #TeamCheese, subscribe to Korina’s newsletter (https://www.korinamossauthor.com/) so that you too can be part of the gang like Willow, Archie, Baz, and Mrs. Schultz. In this third installment, Willa is hired to cater a cheese bar at the Harrington/Everett wedding shower, the Harrington’s being the wealthiest family in Yarrow Glen, and Nelson Everett, the groom, is the nephew of Mayor Trumball. High profile players, high profile murder and it looks like Roman has managed to make himself the #1 suspect. It doesn’t help that Roman has a bit of a romantic history with the bereaved bride, history that he hadn’t shared with Willa. So why did he show up prior to the shower? Was he lured there by Summer, was it by her snarky sister Chloe, or maybe he just showed up on his own. Willa is so confused, but in her heart she knows that while Roman might have a killer smile, he isn’t a killer. At the Mayor’s behest, Willa embarks on another clue hunt In spite of possibly upsetting the very austere Olivia Harrington with uncomfortable questions. Who had the most to gain from Nelson’s death? Was it his Aunt, the Mayor, who stands to inherit? Maybe Chloe, who dated Nelson first, didn’t want to let him go? Could it have really been Roman? Maybe Nelson’s cousin? What about the photographer, where was he when the groom was meeting his end? As you can see there are plenty of suspects, and even a few red herrings, plus some petty thievery that surprised the heck out of me. This was another successful Cheese Shop Mystery success with some tasty recipes for those who like sweet or savory or a mix of the two. Now who is ready for some Bleu? 


Four Charming Spells
A Kitchen Witch Mystery
Lynn Cahoon
Kensington Books

Number four is indeed, a Charming cozy featuring Mia Malone, Mystic Springs’ very own kitchen witch.

I have read the previous books, but you don’t have to in order to enjoy this stand alone. There is plenty of back story explanation for each character, including poor Mr. Darcy who is stuck sharing his furry little body with a ghost. I am not sure how Mia does it all. In addition to keeping up with meal delivery, catering, and event planning Mia is asked to look into yet another mysterious death. How can she continue to keep up with everything? Thankfully she has an awesome group of friends, a super supportive boyfriend, and a sassy grandmother with gifts. The sort of gifts that can come in handy when there is a paranormal mystery about. In an effort to understand a spell that was concealing the age of a deceased witch. Mia’s grandmother does a little experimenting and manages to recapture a bit of her youthful glow, and then her daughter’s youthful glow, followed by her granddaughter’s glow. Hmmm, not only does her face become youthful, so does her attitude and boy does she have that in spades!  Attitude might be just what is needed to solve this mystery with multiple murders, ghosts in the school yard, wards that may or may not hold, and another “special” wedding to be organized. Clues are good and suspects are many, I figured out part but not all, which makes it all the more fun for me. While the mystery may be solved by the end of the story, Mia is still left with questions. Can her fledgling business survive if she takes a job with the Lodge? Will the wards continue to work, and what is the real backstory for the school that no one seems to want to share…


Four Parties and a Funeral
A Catering Hall Mystery
Maria DiRico
Kensington Books 

I am not sure what had me laughing more, Mia trying to not lose it while keeping it together when taking care of craft services for a reality TV show called The Dons of Ditmars Boulevard, or Cammie being not only helpful but almost a model employee while trying to get the hang of creating a podcast. In case you aren’t familiar with the Catering Hall Mysteries, you should know that Mia and her Dad, who used to work for the Boldano Family (that’s with a capital F) are running a family business (a legitimate family business) which tends to create moments of mayhem for Mia who is often asked by the head of the Family, Donny Senior, to help out. Completely legitimate help, this time it is with Little Donny, who seems a little lost and forlorn, so Mia is asked to hire him on at Belle View. From here, Little Donnie becomes involved with the reality show and its female executive producer, a Brit with a bit of a royal background. As far as Mia is concerned just about everyone involved in the show is a bit of royal pain.  Turns out the production company owner is also a Brit and is also the ex-husband of Ariadne. Guess who dies and guess who is the #1 suspect? Yep, Giles St. James and Little Donny respectively, oh ad Giles St. James had a new bride that no one seemed to know about until she showed up as the mourning widow. To really add a little spice, somehow the show intersects with the pre-wedding plans of Donny Senior’s younger son, Jamie and his bride Madison which includes the bachelor/bachelorette parties in New Orleans.  How anyone thought that was going to not be a nightmare is beyond me. Mia did not have to drink to end up with a massive hangover like headache. The film crew has been told to keep those cameras rolling no matter what, and Mia is doing her level best to handle damage control in addition to her temper and dismay at learning a little something something about her boyfriend and former model Shane Gambrozzo and an incident in Vegas. So many suspects, so much drama, and Mia just knows that Little Donny can’t possibly be the bad guy. Wondering where the tuna casserole comes in? You’re just going to have to pick up a copy and read for yourself. Another great Maria DiRico cozy complete with recipes, so many wonderful recipes.  


Witch Way Out
Full Moon Mysteries
Cate Conte
Kensington Books

Third in the series and it does a nice job of making things crystal clear.  

I say that because many of the questions are answered but there are still more that could play out in later installments. I would suggest starting with the first book, although Ms. Conte does a very good job of filling you in so you aren’t lost. You will want the backstory for the full effect. Main character, Violet has had a heck of a learning curve over the past year. From having her Mom back in her life, getting a little sister who is essentially grown up, finding out she is a witch from not one but two powerful families, and taking a place on the council. Violet isn’t into the politics and power struggles of the witch world and would prefer to work on the success of her crystals shop, The Full Moon. Success that will surely grow thanks to landing a spot in the Spring Equinox Fair hosted by the crystal guru Horatio Hale, who is found by dead, by Violet. Apparently someone decided to bury the axe, in Horatio. Was this a witchy crime, or a human one? As if Violet didn’t have enough to worry with, there are two genied victims who are running out of time, a deceitful boyfriend working for his deceitful family, a bff who doesn’t know Violet’s secret, council politics, an over protective Mom (well maybe she has a good reason), and mixed signals from the lawyer. Violet’s worlds are once again colliding and she is running out of time. Of course there is always time for coffee from Pete’s shop, the Friendly Bean and a tasty baked good. Great story and excellent red herrings, hopefully this is not the last one for the Full Moon mystery series.  

MARCH 21ST RELEASES


A Midsummer Night’s Scheme
A Book Binder Mystery
Harper Kincaid
St. Martin’s Paperbacks

 "An evil soul producing a holy witness is like a villain with a smiling cheek, a goodly apple rotten at the heart. O what a goodly outside falsehood hath.” The Merchant of Venice 

 This was an eagerly awaited second in the series. This time it seems to be more from Sister Daria’s point of view, than cousin Quinn’s. The story is full of real life situations such as religious choices, high school mistakes, and learning that you can’t run from your past hurts forever. This is a serious story with some serious plot points in addition to being a great cozy. Several times I found myself laughing out loud, sniffling and murmuring, as well as making “awe, that is so cute” comments. Ms. Kincaid does a great job with not only creating interesting characters but also layering the story into an amazing creation. I am not a fan of the serpent, the spider, or the scorpion (ICK, EEK, ACK). I must give her credit for a unique murder method and a cast of characters with plenty of reasons to want Broadway star and former Vienna High’s heart-stomper Chad, dead, and in such a violent way.  I was able to figure out the “who” but not the “why”.  I was also glad that the family drama was worked through, and while I would like to think that I would not act like Bash and Quin’s folks, I will keep this book close by as a reminder. Lastly, the cliffhanger…can I say it, #TeamLucas. I am not sure why Sister Daria hasn’t figured out that running is not the answer but it sure looks like she might just get some closure. Oh, and I sure hope she gets it before Quinn realizes who is making a guest appearance because she is going to be suspect #1 if anything happens to the guy. Then again, Senya would happily represent her if needed.  Now on to those friend pickles as described in the recipe at the back of the book. I am oh so grateful that the snake taco is not listed, although I am sure it tastes like chicken. 


Strike Out 4 Murder
A Sophie Kimball Mystery
J.C. Eaton
Beyond the Page Publishing

Sophie Kimball mysteries are laugh out loud, read alone books, that build on the first book, the one that brought Phee nee Sophie to Arizona in the first place, to dispel a book curse for her Mom’s book club. Another interesting aspect of this series is that two parallel problems/mysteries going on at the same time always end up entwining. This latest book is a cross between Abbott & Costello’s bit about “who’s on first” and the night of the living dead, when one of the Book Club gals finds and then loses a dead body. Phee Kimball knows that her mom’s/Harriet’s group of gals are easily excitable but they are not senile, so when Shirley says she say a dead guy in the ditch, chances are she saw it. On the business side of things, Phee’s office, Williams Investigations, where Phee is the accounting department, her boss Nate and her new hubby Marshall are busy with an insurance fraud case. I am wondering how and when these two stories are going to intersect, which keeps me riveted to the plot line. Not to mention that these stories are just so darn funny. The characters are all so unique, and well, there is no other way to say it than, hilarious. And Phee’s moments of talking to herself, usually in a snarky but sweet way has me smiling with each turn of the page. I have been known to chortle a time or two when the topic of “sweet little man, Streetman” is brought up. Streetman is Harriet’s neurotic chiweenee who has a life of his own, in fact, he “adopted a kitten in the last book.  Be sure to grab yourself a frosty beverage and a hot dog or two before settling in to this latest Sophie Kimball mystery, it is a home run of a story! 


The Raven Thief
A Secret Staircase Mystery
Gigi Pandian
Minotaur Books

This is an expertly crafted cozy that draws you, once again, into the magical world of sleight of hand and misdirection. Thanks to the wonderful imagery, I am on the hunt for jaggery coffee because it sounds so tempting and a perfect accompaniment to this second Secret Staircase mystery, with a cardamom and chocolate chip scone on the side. The series starter was highly entertaining and this next one is even more mystifying as to the locked room sequence and the description of the amazing creation known as Lavinia’s Lair. Was it a séance gone wrong or something more nefarious or a possible supernatural reason? Four impossibilities according to Tempest and Sinjay but nothing as impossible as the idea of Tempest’s loving grandpa Ash, a retired doctor, and local Good Samaritan, being the murderer. But Ash has secrets and secrets seem to be at the heart of this mystery, magic secrets, secrets of the past, secrets of the present, and Tempest is all-together tired of the secrets. To get to the bottom of this mystery and maybe even the one surrounding the mysterious the deaths of her mother and aunt, Tempest will need the help of her friends and family, and perhaps even Moriarty…Great story that kept me enthralled from beginning to end. If only there wasn’t a year between each book. Looking forward to the next Secret Staircase Mystery and more yummy recipes.

MARCH 14th RELEASE


Methods of Malice
Hope Street Church Mysteries
Ellery Adams & Tina Radcliffe
Beyond the Page

The Hope Church Bible There’s more than just theatrical drama going on with this cozy, thank goodness, that the Hope Street bible study group is “likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind” (Philippians 2:2 KJV). Cooper Lee, artistic bird house creator, manager of one of the city’s largest office machine sales and repair companies, and now a new thespian. A production of It’s a Wonderful Life, directed by the notable, if somewhat notorious Broadway director, Simon Doyle and his touring company. Grammy Lee (not your typical Grammy, more of sassy Grammy), warns Cooper to stay away from the cad of a director, not that such a warning is needed, Copper has a guy, Chef Jon Eason, her not a boyfriend-boyfriend. As usual, it is a rather unfriendly character who is the victim and there is a cast of suspects in this stand-alone story that is part of a really good series. The bible group friends work together not only with their study of Philippians but also the mystery that is threatening to derail the much needed fundraiser.  The story keeps you guessing as to the who and the why, to the point that you are guessing and then second guessing. On top of an entertaining story, you also get the recipes to some well described sweet treats, such as Pumpkin Bars and Banana Bars.