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.