January 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. 

JANUARY 31st RELEASE

Cheddar Late Than Dead
Grilled Cheese Mysteries #3
Linda Reilly
Poisoned Pen Press

Glazed grilled cheese donut…hmmm…well if the sandwich is as good as this cozy I am all in. This is book number three of the Grilled Cheese Mystery series that takes place in Balsam Dell, where the winter is cold but Grant‘s tomato soup and Carly‘s grilled cheese sandwiches are warm and toasty. Both can be found at Carly’s Grilled Cheese Eatery sandwich shop which seems to be the place to be and is also a great way for Carly to get back into the flow of Balsam Dell life by renewing old acquaintances that both increase business and her sense of community. Which brings us to the crux of this latest mystery, while trying to do a good deed and increase her business in the off season, Carly gets herself involved in a murder mystery while catering a bridal shower of all places.  The groom wasn’t even supposed to be at the shower and now he won’t be at the wedding. They bride is distraught, naturally, but also a suspect. I think that Carly is one of the few people who aren’t considered a suspect, but then again, she is well known to the Sheriff who has an open mind and a willingness to hear her when she has possible pertinent information as a result of amateur sleuthing. Good hearted Carly does her best to remind people that she is restaurateur and not an investigator, but her reputation precedes her.  This story provides not only one mystery but two, when Gretel Engstrom the town manager goes missing, or is she hiding…this is a story that is sure to please and recipes to satisfy, can be read by itself or why not start at the beginning, because after all, the best is yet to be. 

JANUARY 24TH RELEASES

Four Leaf Cleaver
Country Store Mysteries                        
Maddie Day
Kensington

This St. Patrick’s Day inspired cooking contest went from dicey to disturbing in less time than it takes it dance an Irish jig. Robbie Jordan and her country store restaurant Pans N’ Pancakes, plays host, or at least tries to play host to the Holiday Hot Off cooking show/contest. Ms. Tara Moore, show producer and victim was, shall we say, a difficult person, which means there will be plenty of suspects; among which is her assistant Jaden, as well as Vin the camerawoman, and Liam one of the eight contestants. Goodness, even Robbie’s husband Abe, has had unpleasant past dealings with Tara. Plenty of suspects means there are plenty of motives and secrets to keep you intrigued while reading about the wonderful Irish foods being made by the contestants, including Abe’s Irish Steak and Stout Stew or Phil’s Stout and Cheese Biscuits (recipes included at the conclusion of the story). There might be only one murder by there are multiple mysteries brewing, not unlike the stout beer provided by the Hoosier Brewing Company which must be used in every contestant’s recipe. Robbie will need the luck of the Irish to help Officer Buck Bird solve this one. Another great story and as always, great recipes to enjoy.

Gone but not for Garden
A Goddess of Greene St. Mystery
Kate Colling
Kensington

Such an enjoyable read, and it is nice to know that I am not the only one who isn’t a huge fan of the fair. The Goddess is back and her big Greek family thinks that she needs to take some time off, enjoy some fair food with her son and Cage, but there is no rest for the Goddess when there is work to be done. Case and Athena have just put their shingle out and are excited to get their new PI business going. As luck would have it, when a case comes looking for her and it means some one on one time with an accomplished PI needing help to clear her cousin. Athena has opportunities to get out of her comfort zone and take point on several interviews in addition to public speaking, of which she has an almost paralyzing fear so making her less than perfect and completely relatable. Athena’s Goddess Anon blog is a nice touch making me wonder if maybe we could all use a similar outlet when it comes to family. The suspects were plentiful and the misdirection had me stumped until the big reveal.

Murder at a Scottish Wedding
A Scottish Shire Mystery
Traci Hall
Kensington Cozies

Take a moment to make yourself a cheese toasty before settling in to read the most exciting of the Scottish Shire Mystery series and the most emotional, by far. What should have been the happiest day of her life has become a living nightmare for Paislee’s bestie, Lydia. Was it a cursed Luckenbooth brooch or is someone out to hurt Lydia any way they can. You know a book is good when you find yourself holding your breath as you turn the pages and making audible comments on the behavior of some people/characters. As if a wrecked wedding isn’t bad enough, Grandpa is acting strangely and DI Zeffer finally has some startling information about Grandpa’s son Craigh.  The story is a stand-alone, plenty of background is given so that you are familiar with all of the characters, but you will probably want to go back and read the others as well. It’s funny, I can read the words and hear the Scot accent in my head but for the life of me, I cannae speak it (LOL).

JANUARY 10TH RELEASES

The Game is a Footnote
A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery
Vicki Delany
Crooked Lane Books

Grab a fresh baked blueberry muffin and a spot of tea as this story takes us to Scarlet house, not the fanciest of historic houses but the one in which the Heritage Society has placed all of their proverbial eggs.  Book store manager, Gemma Doyle, is highly observant and capable of the most excellent deductions, rather like the Great Detective himself. She can also seem a tad cold and distant and rather matter of fact, but she is British and she believes in getting straight to the point. This is why she has been asked to deduce what is going on at Scarlet House. Unexplained or inexplicable happenings, missing history and a missing store clerk makes this latest Sherlock Holmes Bookshop cozy is one that you will not want to miss.  There is an unlikely victim, several suspects, and one possible specter. Gemma and Jane are on the trail while trying to stay out of the police investigation and out of trouble. Gemma can’t help it if she is in the wrong place at the right time or is it the right place at the wrong time.  In the midst of this investigation, Gemma is desperately trying to determine what has become of her trustworthy shop clerk who has disappeared without so much as a text message or note. The game or rather the mystery is afoot and Gemma’s inquisitive and deductive powers of reason will not be denied. As always, Ms. Delaney delivers in the way of interesting plots and character development.