Bait and Swiss: A Cheese Shop Mystery by Korina Moss

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

Bait and Swiss
A Cheese Shop Mystery
Korina Moss 

I think that this is my favorite Cheese Shop Mystery yet. All is right in the world of Willa as she and detective Heath have gotten their wires uncrossed, Team Cheese is a well-oiled (mystery) machine and Curds and Whey is thriving after only two years. So of course, this is the time when fate intervenes/interferes, and the past relocates to the present.  Willa mentions in past books that she had been heartbroken, but we do not get the whole story...until now. Surprise, Willa's ex-fiancé, and her ex-friend were thinking or not thinking by showing up in Willa's town to set up a pop-up shop. 

The story is engaging, and the characters are just fun to read about. Willa and her crew are celebrating the second anniversary of Curds and Whey in a cheesetastic way complete with decorations and amazing cheese selections.  The crew is made up of Willa; the cheesemonger extraordinaire, Mrs. Schultz; who likes to say that she is "smack dab" in the middle of her sixties, Baz; Willa's best friend and jack of all trades, and Archie, a young cheesemonger in the making.  Willa has sworn off of sleuthing but once again she is drawn in. After all, she was the person who delivered the tainted treats that would have done in. I have never been a fan of rum filled chocolates, and this just reinforces my hesitation to try them. As with the other mysteries, Team Cheese is on the case as they sift through the clues. Was it a random poisoning or is someone after AJ. There are some very humorous aspects to his reaction of being the supposed recipient of the tainted goods. Willa has a time of it trying to not automatically suspect Pearce and Riley. Wouldn't it be so easy and somewhat like karma if they were to blame? But Willa is above all of that and besides, she has a wonderful new town, her dream business, and a dreamboat of a detective. 

As with the previous Cheese Shop Mysteries, recipes are also provided in this one. I decided to make the Pizza Smashed Potatoes so I could have a little snack while I armchair sleuthed. Looking forward to the next Cheese Shop Mystery with Team Cheese!

An Amateur Sleuth's Guide to Murder: A Bainbridge Island Mystery by Lynn Cahoon

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

An Amateur Sleuth's Guide to Murders 
A Bainbridge Island Mystery
Lynn Cahoon

Ms. Cahoon had created another winning cozy and probably the best amateur sleuth job EVER. The cherry on the top of this series starter is the scrumptious mac and cheese recipe found at the back of the book. The setting is on Bainbridge Island, which is just a ferry ride away from Seattle. Meet Meg Gates, who is about to go from being a hot mess to a phoenix rising out of the ashes. You cannot help but to empathize with Meg, even if you haven't been essentially left at the altar by your fiancé who ran off on your honeymoon with your bridesmaid. Between heartbreak, lack of a degree, and loss of a job, Meg has no choice but to return home and take a job at the family bookstore. But wait, there is a silver lining to the bookstore job. Thanks to family connections, Meg gets a side gig as a research assistant for successful mystery author, L.C. Aster. This seems fated because Meg has been toying with the idea of writing a book. After reading this book I think that I have found my dream job!   

Who would have guessed that Meg would be able to get on-the-job training for how to write her Amateur Sleuth's Guide to Murders. I was drawn into the story right away. As with any good cozy mystery, the amateur sleuth has a furry friend, like Meg's appropriately named rescue cocker spaniel, Watson. She is part of a good group of friends who were once known as the Mystery Crew. This isn't Meg's first try to solve a mystery, although it is the first one that involves murder. 

There are plenty of suspects and red herring because Robert Meade, the victim, was a rather odious person who took advantage of people in trouble. The list of those who had not had the displeasure of interacting with him was a short one, which means that Meg’s Uncle Troy, the town’s police chief will have his work cut out for him. 

Ms. Cahoon introduces us to Emmett’s lobster mac and cheese in the story but in the recipe, she leaves it up to the reader/cook to decide what to add, if one should decide to add anything at all. I gave this easy to make recipe a try and added ham, take a look.

Night of the Living Bread : Sugar and Spice Mysteries by Mary Lee Ashford

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

Night of the Living Bread
Sugar and Spice Mysteries
Mary Lee Ashford

Night of the Living Bread, book four of the Sugar and Spice Mystery series, is a culinary cozy that is crafted to feed your desire for armchair sleuthing and provide great recipes. While Sugar is the main protagonist she would be lost and somewhat hungry without the baking genius of Dixie. These two ladies are a well-balanced set running a successful cookbook publishing business in the small cozy town of St. Ignatius. While Dixie is usually busy in the kitchen, Sugar is busy with the paperwork and legwork for the business and the questioning of suspects. Not that she would dream of getting in the way of Sheriff Terry’s investigation or putting herself in unnecessary danger.  

The usually quiet town is hopping with activity. There is the impending film crew of a diner

review show looking to set up shop at The Red Hen, the death of Marla Mercer, and a string

of petty cash thefts. Thank goodness this is a stand-alone story given the number of plot twists.

The appearance of Dino Diner brings back an unpleasant memory from Sugar’s past and how

she ended up leaving the publishing world to join Dixie in St. Ignatius. Not much seems to ruffle

Sugar but Dino’s visit might ruffle feathers including those at The Red Hen. This is a town of

easy-going people and business neighbors who are interesting and even quirky. Sugar’s actual

neighbor, Mrs. Pickett is a most unusual and quite cantankerous character. In fact, it is due to

the surly senior neighbor, that Sugar even gets involved in mystery solving this time. All good

amateur sleuths need to be inquisitive. Mrs. Picket says that Sugar is good at snooping and

that someone needs to clear her niece, Mame, off of the suspect list. There aren’t really a lot

of people to suspect, after all, Marla was a nice lady who worked at the historical society, but

that doesn’t dissuade Sugar from looking. Sugar is as sweet as her name and would help

anyone. It is one of her character traits that is endearing and makes this series a joy to read. 

This is a very enjoyable book with an engaging plot and fun characters. I was able to follow the clues but still did not figure out the culprit until the big reveal. My only request for the future installments is related to romance. As with most cozy books, there is a slow burn romance. Actually, both Sugar and Dixie have slow burn romances going, and I do mean sssslllloooowww. Maybe just a little more speed? After finishing the book, I felt the knead (LOL) to make the bread recipe after finishing the book see below. 

Booked for Revenge: A Tomes and Teas Mystery Book #2 by Karen Rose Smith

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

Booked for Revenge

A Tea and Tomes Mystery

Karen Rose Smith

Kensington Cozies

I am so disappointed in myself for not realizing that Karen Rose Smith had created a spin off from her Daisy’s Tea Garden Mystery series. Booked for Revenge is the second in the new series and it picks up with Daisy Swenson's younger daughter Jazzi, moving to a new town and becoming her own person, while also utilizing the skills she learned from her mom and stepdad Jonas on how to sleuth. Jazzi has a little bit of a secret, no one except for Detective Mitford knows about the ten murder cases that Jazzi’s mom, Daisy, helped the Willow Creek detectives solve. While this is a spin off, it shows itself to be a separate series and as a stand-alone, there is no need to read the series starter or the Tea Garden series to enjoy both the characters and the mystery.  

Part of Jazzi’s past story is her journey as an adopted child who goes in search of her birth mother. She is the first character that I have come across with such a backstory. It is a unique way to show how Jazzi developed sleuthing skills of her own. Skills that she uses to help Dawn, her roommate, business partner, and best friend. Dawn may not be a suspect, but she is suffering from a bit of PTSD from finding the body of baking contestant and professional photographer Finn Yarrow.  Detective Milford warns Jazzi to not get involved like she did last time but Jazzi cannot ignore the angst that Dawn is experiencing. Angst that is causing waves between Dawn and family, family that are a little weary of Jazzi and her possible influence over Dawn.  

There are plenty of suspects and possible motives. The victim was in a heated argument at one point with another contestant, was it related to the contest or something else? As a photographer and videographer, Finn was most likely a very observant person. Did he see, photograph, or film something that led to his demise, or is it something else entirely. Jazzi and the Tea & Tomes book club crew do a very good job of analyzing the suspects and the aspects of this crime. I would be remiss if I did not make mention of the interesting aspect of the Tea & Tomes book club. Historically, members of a book club read the same, agreed upon book, and then discuss what they did or didn’t like about the book. These book club members each read a different book. I think it might be interesting and fun to take part in such a group. This format seems to have even enticed Oliver, the owner of The Wild Kangaroo, to attend a meeting and not just because there are snacks for all to enjoy.  

This is a well written cozy that checks all the boxes from cute kittens, supportive friends, and even a romantic possibility (note to the author, thank you for not making this a triangle). I will need to go back and read the series starter and maybe make some Maple Pecan cookies or peach and pecan muffins. I am looking forward to the next one.

 

The Library Game : A Secret Staircase by Gigi Pandian

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

The Library Game
A Secret Staircase Mystery
Gigi Pandian

This is the most confounding Secret Staircase Mystery yet. An impossible murder, an unclear motive, and a disappearing corpse all combine to create this latest Gigi Pandian cozy mystery. 

Tempest Raj was a Vegas magician, a master of illusion and the art of misdirection. She sounds a little like a mystery author, doesn't she? Tempest is now a part of the Secret Staircase Construction company, created by her parents. There is a bit of a backstory involving the death of her mom, it is touched on in this book, but you should really read the first three books to get the full story. Fortunately, it isn't necessary to enjoy this latest book. In fact, all four books are very good as stand-alone stories but the first three build very nicely on each other. In addition to being cozy, they also have a wonderful culinary aspect. Each book lays out some deliciously descriptive scenes with amazing food created/cooked/crafted by Tempest's grandfather, Ashok "Ash" Raj. Ash has an incredible ability to make tasty food that he shares with anyone and everyone. He also has a rolodex, yes, a literal rolodex of all his contacts, and that is a lot of people. This installment comes with the recipe for Blackberry Crumble Cobbler, and I can attest to how easy it is to make and how yummy it tastes with a dollop of fresh whipped cream. 

As usual, the team of Tempest, Gideon, Ivy, and Sunjay do a great job of adding unique perspectives and personality to the book. There is even a furry companion, Abra the big lop-eared emotional support bunny. Abra isn't technically a support bunny but there is something soothing about stroking bunny fur while trying to figure out a mystery or deal with a stressful or sad situation. I could have used a little support while I was chasing red herrings upstream because I did not have a clue who the killer was or why they did it until the reveal. In fact, the moment that Tempest figured it out, I actually sighed in an "oh no" sort of way. Thank goodness I had Blackberry Crumble Cobbler to make me feel better. This was another great cozy and if you get the chance to check out the audio versions, they are excellent as well with the voice talents of Soneela Nankani. She does a great job of bringing each and every character to life just as I have imagined they would sound. I look forward to reading the next book, hopefully next March as they seem to come out about a year apart. 

A Botanist's Guide to Rituals and Revenge - A Saffron Everleigh Mystery by Kate Khavari

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

A Botanist's Guide to Rituals and Revenge
A Saffron Everleigh Mystery
Kate Khavari

This is the fourth installment in the Saffron Everleigh Mystery series, and I can’t believe I waited until now to give this series a try. In my defense, I usually shy away from historical mysteries, but the cover art just intrigued me, not to mention the unique character name, Saffron. I was not disappointed with this multiplot story that included family angst, rules of proprietary, an unusual amateur sleuth, Downton Abbey vibes, a medium, a Moriarty, and afternoon tea. The story is set in the late 1920s, and the location is England; Bedford to be exact, and Saffron has been called home to the family estate due to her grandfather’s ailing health. It sounds like a good opportunity to bring along roommate and BFF Elizabeth Hale who has family issues of her own. Plus, the added bonus of introducing the family to work colleague and beau, Alexander Ashton. Chances are that researcher Alexander will feel like he is under a microscope. 

The story has a Miss Marple feel to it. Just imagine Miss Marple as a young botanist who worked at a university conducting research on the most usual or unusual of specimens. While at the same time, there is a Holmes-like aspect because of the villain, Bill Wyatt, who is a Moriarty of sorts and claims to be a doctor. I have not read the three previous books which puts me a little in the dark but not so much that I cannot enjoy the character interactions. Bits of backstory are sprinkled throughout the plot and subplot to keep the reader informed. Bits like the history of the tumultuous relationship between Saffron and her grandparents which is not any better than Elizabeth’s relationship with her parents, the Hales. Family drama and strong-willed characters sure does add that little extra bit of spice to the interactions and keeps me turning the pages.

An excellent read and I can't wait to get caught up by going back to the beginning.

Villian in the Vineyard : A Chesapeake Bay Mystery by Judy L. Murray

Thank you to the authors, publishers, and Level Best Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. The recipe review and food pairing found on my Instagram feed are of my own doing. 

Villain in the Vineyard

A Chesapeake Bay Mystery

Judy L. Murray

If you are a fan of Delaney Nichols from the Scottish Bookshop Mystery series with her bookish voices, then you are really going to enjoy Helen Morrisey and her Detection Club, which is made up of some of the greatest female fictional sleuths. There is Nancy Drew, Jane Marple, Jessica Fletcher, Nora Charles, and Agatha Raisin. Each of the sleuths is unique and offers different insights and methods. This is my first time reading a book from the Chesapeake Bay Mystery Series, and I did not put it down until I finished. Being the sort of series addict that I am, it means that I will be adding the other three to my TBR list for a possible binge-reading weekend. This cozy mystery is so well-written that it elicits emotional reactions that are almost visceral. The characters are completely relatable, and their reactions to their circumstances are believable.

Helen Morrisey is the sassy sort of true-blue friend who you would want to sell your house or help you find a new abode. Her best friend is Tammi Damon, an irreplaceable assistant who endeavors to talk Helen off the ledge and remind her that Twizzlers are not a food group. We learn that Helen is a widow, but she isn’t alone. She has a set of grown children––twins Lizzie and Shawn, who respect the uniqueness that is their mom while also showing her such love and support that it makes you sigh. Rounding out this inner circle is Helen’s love interest, Detective Joe McAlister. Helen and Joe have an easy-going relationship with plenty of teasing as well as tenderness and a little agitation. (Helen has been known to take a risk or two.) Joe appreciates Helen’s ability to notice details and to think through situations. He is not necessarily a huge fan of the Detection Club because sometimes the ladies convince Helen to dig a little deeper and look a little longer.

With two murders, there are a good number of suspects. For Bill Elison, there is Todd Myers, the ill-tempered son-in-law for starters, and there is concern also that those who clean houses see and know things that maybe they shouldn’t have. For Oscar Banyon, there are quite a few more since he was a bit of a snoot who isn’t mourned by anyone, including his wife, Paula. At one point, I suspected that everyone had done the deed including the FBI agent who probably moonlighted as a Wonder Woman stand-in.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable cozy, and I am looking forward to getting caught up by reading the first three with a glass of wine and some Twizzlers.

Shock and Paw : A Cat Cafe Mystery by Cate Conte

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

Shock and Paw 
A Cat Cafe Mystery
Cate Conte
St. Martin's Paperbacks

This is book eight of the series. Christmas, cozy, and exotic cats, what more could you possibly need. This holiday season Cat Cafe Mystery has all the great cozy feels that one has come to expect from Cate Conte. This is a festive and feline centered mystery that makes me want to find a cat cafe. A great cast of characters and plenty of suspects to keep you turning the pages while at the same time wondering why the city council has a contract with a guy who doesn't seem very handy. Enjoyable as always and I can't wait to read the next one.

Spirited Blend : A Crystals & CuriosiTEAS Mystery - Lauren Elliott

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

Spirited Blend : A Crystals & CuriosiTEAS Mystery
Lauren Elliott
Kensington Books

Book three of the Crystals & CuriosiTEAS series starts with multiple mysteries including the threat of Shay’s father, Doyle, being seen in town and the machinations of the false friend, Madame Malvina, putting Shay, Liam, and his cousin Conor on the offensive. At the center of the story is Cora Sutton, the Mayor’s wife, who learns that she and Shay share an ancestor from Ireland, Biddy Early. Biddy was known as a healer and the owner of a magical blue bottle that disappeared when Biddy died. Against Shay’s advice, Cora tells anyone and everyone and her family tree, even hinting that she may even have the mysterious and mythical blue bottle. The very bottle that contains the blue diamond which is secretly hanging around Shay’s neck and acts to amplify and focus Shay’s abilities. Shay does a tea reading that shows misfortune on the horizon. Surely Doyle is responsible for the death. If not him, then Madame Malvina has to have had a hand in it.

 

Shay is learning to trust her abilities but alas, it did not prepare her for the new neighbors, Brad, her no good, cheating, thief of an ex-husband and his wife, Shay’s ex-friend, Angela, the assistant who stole her husband, money, and reputation. So, mystery number two causing Shay angst is trying to figure out why on earth would those two move from Santa Fe, New Mexico to Bray Harbor, California and move in right next to Shay. 

The last mystery of this book is trying to figure out why and how former San Francisco detective Liam is as thick as a 4x4 plank of wood, just ask his Irish Gran. Shay is so well written that I have felt the frustration right along with her as Liam “parades” woman after woman past her and even has the numbskull nerve to ask her for dating advice. ARGGGGGGG.  

Once again, Lauren Elliott has crafted a wonderful cozy that has a touch of magic, a slow burn romance, wonderful character growth, a tea house, a furry and Spirited friend, and a bit of folklore. I was captivated by the ups and downs and completely thrown off by the red herrings. Tassi seems to be developing a bit of intuition, perhaps this will be developed as well. While this is a stand-alone and part of an overall story, there is plenty of plot development and shared history. This story arc is far from over and I cannot wait to see what Ms. Elliott brings us next.

Dead Post Society: A House Flipper Mystery by Diane Kelly

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

Dead Post Society: A House Flipper Mystery
Diane Kelly
Minotaur Books

Book 7 in the House Flipper series is just as good as the six that preceded it. While looking over the grounds of a dilapidated boarding school, house flipper and carpenter Whitney convinces her cousin and business partner Buck to purchase and flip the very sad and run-down headmaster's home, a once grand Victorian with good bones.   A house with good bones, but bad and tragic history, and Whitney can't help but to get caught up in the cold case involving a murder-suicide when she finds a bullet lodged in a cracked porch post. 

The mystery drew me in every bit as much as it drew in Whitney. The story just didn't add up and there were plenty of suspects, including one very psychotic former TV personality who really should not be allowed to work with the public. There were some great clues laid out and some good attempts to misdirect. Whitney does a great job with both internet research and (steel-toed) boots on the ground pounding the pavement clue hunting. Plenty of suspects in plenty of places to keep us guessing. Oh, and one more fun aspect of the book is that we get the point of view for Sawdust, Whitney's sweet kitty. Sawdust has been a hero more than once in the past.

Highly enjoyable plot great and diverse characters. I am a big fan of sleuths who work well with local law enforcement and vice versa. Whitney is married to a cop who supports her sleuthing not that he doesn't worry about her safety as they make plans for their future. I am making plans to make the Lemon Pistachio Orzo Salad to share with family thanks to the recipe at the conclusion of the story. 

Snuffling Up Bones by DonnaRae Menard

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

Snuffling Up Bones
A Pig and I Mystery
DonnaRae Menard

If you are a fan of cozy mysteries that revolve around saving animals, then this new release is going to be your new favorite. Introducing Doris Flynn, a recent widow and a woman with an amazing amount of love for all animals great and small.  I am not kidding when I say great, because the biggest animal on the property is a 450-pound Hampshire pig named Buttercup Belle. If you have ever seen The Ugly Dachshund, then you know that a big dog can think of itself as a little dog or even a lap dog. The same appears to be true for Buttercup. She is trained much like a dog, and she behaves, much like a dog.  There is one difference, Buttercup responds to singing cues and she will even join in at times. Just wait until you get to the Buttercup bathing scene of the book, you will laugh out loud.  

In addition to Doris, is her daughter, Melanie who has moved home as a result of developing MS and the loss of her dad, Ian. Ian died almost a year ago of a heart attack. I have to wonder if there isn’t the possibility of a future story arc regarding Ian’s death. Front and center to this story are two head strong as well as heart strong ladies and one rather large farm complete with two family dogs, one really big pig, chickens, one dog getting prepped for a new home, and a full cattery (eight cats I think). I feel tired just reading about all the work that Doris does and that doesn’t even include cleaning the house or the sleuthing that she starts after Buttercup snuffles up some bones on a hiking trail behind the homestead. I can completely relate to Doris and her desire to do ANYTHING besides cleaning the house.  

Not only is this an interesting story because of Buttercup’s part in finding the bones, but also because there are so many truly human or real aspects, like Melanie’s MS, and Rose Anne’s job as the medicolegal investigator, which is an occupation that I have not come across in my mystery reading. I also liked that Doris has a good working relationship with Sheriff Neddel, the new, and somewhat attractive, guy in town. The mystery is so interesting that I found it difficult to put the book down. The suspects are plentiful and there is gossip aplenty. Between bigotry and a lost memory this mystery gets more mysterious and even a little bit dangerous. I was bouncing between subjects up until the reveal and I didn’t come close to guessing the whole plot line.  I do hope that this one becomes a series.

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The Potting Shed Murder : Hill House Vintage Murder Mysteries by Paula Sutton

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

The Potting Shed Murder
Hill House Vintage Murder Mysteries
Paula Sutton
Renegade Books

Daphne Brewster, shoot producer for the Stylish Home magazine, has had enough of the hustle and bustle of inner-city London, not to mention the crime, and has relocated with her husband James, daughter Immy, and twin sons Archie and Flynn to the quiet town of Pudding Corner near Pepperbridge. Where it seems that "death, murder, secrets and betrayals were all wrapped up in the bucolic beauty of a village nestled within fields and country air." This was an excellent series starter for the Hill House Vintage Murder Mysteries series. With a few chapters that are multiple points of view and flashbacks, you get a story within a story, within a story.

Daphne is a strong character, but also kindhearted with a desire to defend the excluded and overlooked. She has no need to climb a social ladder like Marianne Forbes or try to be in the good graces of Augusta Papplewick, school headmaster's wife. Those two are a couple of mean gals. Daphne, on the other hand, really doesn’t care what the locals think and chooses to befriend Minerva Leek, a Wiccan who may have grown up in the small town and is a local, but because she is different, she is considered an outcast. These characters are so well described, and their emotions are so strong that you become engrossed in the story. There is a "mean girl," a quiet recluse, a frustrated housewife, and a couple of gossip gals. On the more positive side, Daphne and James’s children have adjusted quite well and made a friend of a young boy named Silver, the son of Minerva Leek. With the lower cost of living, Daphne is able to be a stay-at-home mom but finds that she has a knack and a creative flair for refinishing furniture and creating wonderful and decorative pieces. There is even an available storefront for the newly nicknamed Vintage Lady to conduct her new business venture. I like how Daphne is given an outlet for her creative nature. Her husband, James, would rather she didn’t find an outlet for her curious nature.    

This was a mystery that kept me guessing. Every suspect has motive and opportunity to have visited the headmaster while he relaxed in his happy place. Each personal story that Daphne collects/learns is like a puzzle piece and a picture begins to take shape, and then Daphne discovers another clue that changes everything. Every suspect has motive and opportunity to have visited the headmaster while he relaxed in his happy place. This is going to be a most excellent series that has inspired me to look up a recipe for Jamaican Ginger Cake, so stay tuned.

Murder Runs in the Family by Tamara Berry

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

Murder Runs in the Family
Tamara Berry
Poisoned Pen Press

Tamara Berry has crafted yet another thoroughly entertaining cozy and I hope this is the start of a new and sassy series. The main character, Amber decides that her life needs a new direction, so she heads to Arizona to find the grandma she was never allowed to meet because according to Moonbeam Effervescence aka Effie, aka Amber’s mom, Grandma Judith aka Jade, is the most selfish person who ever existed and is not to be spoken of or to. How could an inquisitive almost official PI not want to solve that mystery?    

The last thing Amber expected was to discover that her wayward grandma was also the creator of Death Comes Calling, a podcast that she has listened to for the last three years on stakeouts with Bones. Bones, the EX-boyfriend, make sure you understand that he is the EX-boyfriend, is a former Navy Seal, animal loving, official private investigator, and a Neanderthal. I am not sure how Amber doesn’t lose it every time he calls her “babe,” but I do understand why she decided it was time to move on from the role of girlfriend/secretary/underling.

There is more than meets the eyes when it comes to grandma Jade’s posse, shifty septuagenarians, who double as the podcast crew. As she follows the clues we start to see more than what is on the surface. I enjoyed the great introspection by Amber as she analyzes how she seems to be the black sheep in her family but apparently the truth is that it just skipped a generation. Amber’s family isn’t exactly warm and fuzzy which pulls on your heartstrings. In addition to looking inward, Amber starts to really look at Jade’s friends. They are definitely more than just a couple of retirees who spend time baking croissants, taking and placing bets, possibly hacking into the local servers, or playing hide the turtle (no that is not a euphemism). Who would have guessed that you could use Nextdoor to report pet sightings.   

There is one person whom Amber has some difficulty getting to know, Ethan Adler, a guy too young to be in retirement, turns out he is recuperating from a hip surgery. Do I detect a little interest on Amber’s part?

Just wait until you get to the solution to this mystery. I was reading it and shaking my head. I had to read it twice because the first time I literally said “wait…what…no way!” Unless I am mistaken, the next book was tee’d up at the conclusion of this one and I can’t wait to see if PI Amber is in fact able to find Ethan the vet.

Death on a Serving Board : A Charcuterie Shop Mystery by JC Eaton

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

Death on a Serving Board
A Charcuterie Shop Mystery
JC Eaton
Level Best Books  

This was my first time reading a book from the Charcuterie Shop Mystery series. I have been a fan of JC Eaton for a while and can be found laughing out loud over the chaos that is often associated with both the Wine Trail mysteries and the Sophie Kimball mysteries. I am not surprised that Death on a Serving Board delivered on all cozy aspects including comedy that I have come to expect from this amazing husband and wife writing team. 

The first thing you notice about this book is the cover art. Who could have guessed that a charcuterie board could be so artful, or that teaching a class of adult students on how to create such a masterpiece would drive a person to drink. Char-Board owner Katie Aubrey thought it would be a great idea, increase business for the café, maybe even find a possible part time server. What she found was a headache and a dead body. Well she didn't find the body. Actually there was two bodies and while she didn't find either of them they are way too close for comfort both figuratively and literally. Katie is spurred on to sleuth by her ghost of a roommate, food critic, Edith Ellory. The house that Katie is renting came with the usual rental items and the former owner, Edith. While you don't have to read the two previous books to have a good idea of the who, what, where, and when, but I am most likely going to binge read them very soon.  Edith is not a ghost for the faint of heart. She likes to pop up in a swirl of colored haze and drive Katie crazy. And crazy is what people are going to start thinking about Katie if she doesn't get a handle on talking back to Edith since no one can hear their conversations, well not both sides of it. People often tell Katie that she looks like she has seen a ghost and while her verbal response is that she is tired or thinking thoughts, what she would really like to say is "yes, seen one, talked to one, yelled at one, you name it." The back and forth with Edith keeps you chuckling and heaven help Katie when time comes to tell Ian. 

While some aspects of work and home drive Katie crazy, there are great aspects of the book that keep her sane. The crew at The Cha-Board, Javie, Matt, and Lilly-Ann are ready and willing to work hard and support Katie when she is hatching a plan or "The Plan." Katie also gets support and a little extra from aspiring chef Ian Monroe whom she has been seeing for a few months now and couldn't be happier. Ian is willing to actually go looking for clues with Katie which is HUGE in  my book. The couple that sleuths together stays (alive) together. As with any good cozy, there is also a canine companion by the name of Speedbump, a laid back beagle that also came with the rental. To round out this cast is local law enforcement, Deputy Vincent, not a fan of Katie's poking but also not a combatant either. Which is good because Katie and crew do a great job of finding and sharing the clues. The multiple death mystery with a touch of robbery cold case kept my attention, the red herrings kept me guessing, and the charcuterie directions have inspired me to make my own treat laden board.  

Killing Me Soufflé : A Bakeshop Mystery by Ellie Alexander

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

Killing Me Soufflé
A Bakeshop Mystery
Ellie Alexander
Minotaur Books

This new addition to the Bakeshop Mystery series has Jules and family taking a trip to the coast to help Steph and Sterling during the grand reopening  of the SeaBreeze Bistro located on the stunning Oregon coast at the Whaleshead resort. The resort holds fond memories for Jules, times when she was a child and would enjoy the surf and the sand with her parents. Jules and Carlos can may have a difficult time trying to imagine bringing their children. The resort looks like it hasn’t been updated or maintained since Jules last long ago visit as a child. The bistro on the other hand, has been given a new coat of paint, some updated accents and a temptingly tasty menu. 

One of my favorite things about the Bakeshop Mystery series is the amazing food and the generosity of Ellie Alexander to share many of those recipes with readers. I decided several books ago that I did not need cookbooks anymore since I have so many culinary cozies. In addition to the recipes at the end of the stories, the characters, mainly Jules, actually explain the processes, like how to make the chocolate soufflés. That is the recipe which I am most looking forward to giving a try.        

As with the other installments in this series, Lance; Jules BFF, has a flair for drama and what appears to be an inability to not snoop. He often gets Jules involved in the “sussing out” of clues when a mystery is afoot…not that she really needs much of a push or pull to get caught up in an instigation. Truth be told it is better to sleuth as a dynamic duo than to go it alone. Especially in this mystery. Almost everyone who is a suspect has what appears to be some serious anger issues. Erik, the resort’s manager, whom no one likes because of his acerbic attitude, I didn’t even like him so it makes perfect sense that he is the victim. No one seemed to miss him, not Hoff the handyman, nor Travis the seafood supplier who is acting fishy. Mary Beth Wells the artist in resident had some really colorful thing to say about Erik.     

The reveal snuck up on me while I was still trying to get the facts, clues, and motives straight. All in all it was another fun and entertaining mystery with characters who are like friends. Friends who make you laugh, make you tear up, and make you hungry. I am really looking forward to when Jules and Carlos welcome their new little bundles of joy. I can only imagine how spoiled they are going to be by uncles Lance and his partner Arlo. So many wonderful things to look forward to in the next book.

Fondue or Die : A Cheese Shop Mystery by Korina Moss

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

Fondue or Die
A Cheese Shop Mystery
Korina Moss
St. Martin’s Paperbacks 

Where in the world is cheesemonger Willa Bauer? In book five of the Cheese Shop Mysteries, Willa has left her shop Curds & Whey located in Yarrow Glen and is taking part in the Dairy Days Festival in Lockwood. In addition to having a booth at the festival she and Archie have volunteered to help with the Miss Dairy pageant.  

Being a fan of detective Heath, I am super excited that he and Willa are working together. Since the murder takes place out of his jurisdiction, it isn’t his investigation that Willa and Team Cheese are trying to solve. Willa isn’t stepping on his Detective Heath’s toes, but she is butting heads with Chief Womack who seems to be hiding something and has Mrs. Schultz on his suspect list. How anyone could even think for the briefest of seconds that Mrs. Schultz had anything to do with the death of Nadine the pageant director. Not that she goes out of her way to be difficult. AJ JDJDJ, now he is another story altogether but he and Willa have an understanding, a quid pro quo, as it were.

Speaking of difficult people, Nadine is not anyone's favorite person. She is not popular with the participants or their mothers. Nadine has high expectations and takes the pageant very seriously, unlike Grace Kelp, journalist for the Lockwood Weekly who is reporting on the misogynistic aspects of the contest and her call to have shut down. Fiona, the number-one seller of Becky's Bakeware and pageant judge is butting heads with Nadine. Nadine's cousin Mary Ann is beside herself with the loss of Nadine, but she is keeping a stiff upper lip in order to honor Nadine and the pageant. There are a lot of clues, most of which Chief Womack seems to be ignoring which puts Willa on high alert and she manages to get Heath to work with her while taking his suggestions for safety.   

I really liked reading how Willa and Heath worked as well together as Team Cheese. Maybe, just maybe...I am team Heath all the way and love a happy ending. The clues were well placed and I didn't figure out the mystery until the big reveal. After enjoying this stand-alone Cheese Shop Mystery, I was enticed into doing a little internet search for interesting beauty pageants and came upon the garlic festival beauty pageant so the idea of a cheese sponsored pageant is not such a stretch. Another well written and highly enjoyable cozy and the best part is that there are recipes at the end of the story so you aren't salivating for nothing while enjoying the book. I took time to make and enjoy the Extra-Cheesy Alfredo and I encourage everyone to give it a try.

Trouble is Brewing : A Tea By the Sea Mystery by Vicki Delaney

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

Trouble is Brewing
Tea by the Sea Mystery #5
Vicki Delaney
Kensington Cozies

Book four of the tea by the sea mysteries reads like a stand-alone and set in NCNCN in a tea house with an incredible backdrop that includes a lovely BnB. The tea house is set in the sort of backdrop that would be perfect for outside events, such as weddings and bridal showers. 

The bride and groom, Hannah Hill and Greg Reynolds, are a lovely couple and the mother of the bride was a hard working single mom who is doing her best to keep the peace and support her daughter. The same can not be said of the groom's parents and sister. The Reynolds, Ralph and Sophia are snooty when it comes to Hannah and her mother Jenny. It turns out that Jenny and Ralph Reynold had been involved once upon a time before she married Max Hill and had Jenny.  It probably doesn't help that the older Mrs. Reynolds, Ralph's mother and the not too kind mother-in-law to Sophia still runs the family business or rather, she tells Ralph and Greg's brother, Ivan what to do and not in the kindest of ways. Greg's sister, Mackenzie, finds it entertaining to stir pots and add fuel to fires. No one is happy and it seems like this wedding is might not happen in spite of the very loving and lovely couple. All in all there are a lot of people who would make for great suspects. The drama is crazier than day time TV but the afternoon tea is full of sweet and savory treats expertly described. This cozy keeps you turning pages as emotions go up and down causing eye rolls, chuckles, hurrumphing, and indignation over the flirty machinations of a bridesmaid.  

As usual I enjoy the back and forth between Rose and Edna over Edna's duties as the B & B breakfast waitress, which did not include acting the maid to Rose. Equally entertaining are the hijinks that Rose and Bernie engage in while hot on the trail of they mysteries in each book. I am a little sad that it is now time for Simon to return back across the pond to England instead of staying with but I also know that Rose needs to take a trip and that Lily will be going with her. I also take consolation in the sweet treat recipe for Maple Pecan Squares that go very well with afternoon tea which I can enjoy while waiting for the next Tea by the Sea Mystery set to release later this year.