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.