March Cozy New Releases!

Thank you to NetGalley and various publisher for an ARC to read and review. These are honest reviews in exchange for the opportunity to immerse myself in a pleasant distraction.

Death of a Blueberry Tart (A Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery)
By Lee Hollis
Published by Kensington Books

Moms can be a friend and/or foe and sometimes both at the same time. Take Sheila for instance, Hayley Powell, food columnist and amateur sleuth. There are times when Hayley would very much like for someone to take her Mom, especially when she makes an impromptu visit on the eve of Sheila and Bruce's honeymoon. In the last book, which you didn't have to read to be able to follow along with this latest murder, Hayley and Bruce said "I do" out of the blue and most unexpectedly.  Having missed the wedding which technically  no one was invited to, Sheila shows up at the Bangor airport nursing a broken heart. Sheila's arrival sparks interest in a quick class reunion of anyone who is still in the area of Bar Harbor. Which is where the murder comes in. I think that the best part of this story is the friendships between mothers and daughters. Not one on one, but as a group. Hayley, Liddy, and Mona are set and their Moms are apparently the best of friends as well. So you can imagine how this is going to go when the class "tart" known for her blueberries is found strangled in the hotel room next to Sheila, and shortly after Sheila and her posse confront Caskie Lemon-Hogg about her wild ways from way back when to her current day tart-like behavior as well. Rumors are flying as both sets of trios are hot on the trail of the a series of clues and often stepping on each other's toes. As if it was a race or a competition the Moms and the Daughters are in the thick of it. It can be the best of times or the worst of times and Hayley both loves and sometimes loathes her Mom and her knit picking comments. But no one can stay mad at their mother forever, right? Highly entertaining hijinks from both groups and the recipes are amazing. I didn't realize there were so many yummy ways to enjoy fresh or frozen blueberries either as a baked good or as beverage. I look forward to following up my review with the blueberry tart recipe.  

Berried in the Past (Cranberry Cove Mystery)
By Peg Cochran
Published by Beyond the Page Publishing

This was my first Cranberry Cove mystery and I can honestly say that it will not be my last. Of the eastern shore of a very cold Lake Michigan there was so much warmth eminating from the main characters that you could not help but be drawn into the story. What would you do if a stranger showed up on your doorstep  confused and claiming that someone was trying to kill them? Newlywed Monica Albertson is not only a wiz in the kitchen, where she makes the most wonderful cranberry creations for the Sassamanash Farm store, but also when it comes to piecing together a mystery. Aided by her husband Greg, her stepmother Gina, and the mysterious Dana  Bakker, sister of the deceased. Several suspects from Marta's own family to ghosts from the past and all of this while Monica struggles to be supportive of her helf brother Jeff, who is thinking of selling the Farm to pay for a new experimental treatment to help his partially paralyzed arm, a result of his military service in Afghanistan. Not everyone is supporitve of the farm sale, especially since the developer has plans to build a mall. Sleepy and picturesque Cranberry Cove does not want or need a mall. As I said before this book kept pace as well it kept my attention and in no time Iwas to the recipes at the back of the book. I will make the bread in the fall but was inspired to try my hand at the wonderful cookies that were mentioned several times through out the story. Definelty a good read with all of the classic cozy requirements. 

Lavender Blue Murder (A Teashop Mystery #21)
By Laura Childs
Published by Kensington Books

Theo and the Indigo Teashop crew are back and serving up tea, scones, and suspense. This is the 21st book in the series and I can honestly say that you don't need to have read the other 20 to enjoy or understand who or what is involved. Theodosia is one well-rounded character and I must say that I learn something new about her in each book. I would never have guessed that she was such a crack shot with a hunting rifle. Her marksmanship skills are almost as good as her sleuthing skills. It also helps that her tea sommelier Drayton has slowly but surely become accustomed to these occurrences and is even getting into the act by assisting Theo, where once he was completely against her becoming involved. The tea shop crew of Drayton, Hailey, and Ms. Dimple actually brainstorm the list of suspects and possible motives.

As with all Teashop mysteries, there is a slew of recipes that I can't wait to try. One of these days I am going to make it to Charleston and see if there is a little teashop by chance. I must agree that the romance and sophistication of an afternoon tea sounds immensely inviting, especially if there were themed events such as the Gone With the Wind event described in our story. LVM has all the pieces of a perfectly cozy and makes for a great read by not only capturing your attention within the first chapter with the mysterious murder but also cements you to your kindle with the follow-up fire. All of this action takes place in less than 24 hours and there are suspects aplenty and all with completely different reasons to want Mr. Doyle dead. Was it over a diverted stream, an impending land development, an orphaned piece of land from the 1800s, a change in the will, or something else altogether?

I could go on and on, but wouldn't it be more fun for you to pick up this newly released book and read for yourself how the ever-inquisitive Theo manages to make time to run her tea shop, keep her detective boyfriend Riley from locking her up for her own good, and solve the crime. If I had to hazard a guess I would say that her Southern-style hygge helps her to unwind, relax, and ponder.

Death on the Page (A Castle Bookshop Mystery)
By Essie Lang
Published by Crooked Lane Books

Poor Cabana Joe just can't catch a break. He wasn't responsible for the death in the first book and now he is getting the blame for the death in the second one. A famous true crime author comes to town for a book signing at Bayside Books only to become the a true crime victim. There is no shortage of suspects from her fiancé to Cabana Joe (although no one has ever seen Cabana Joe or given reason to believe that there is in fact a ghost).It is all very mysterious and of course Shelby feels the need to get to the bottom of it in spite of pleadings from Aunt Edie, Michael Kessler the castle caretaker and fellow true crime writer, and especially Shelby's Coast Guard investigative agent boyfriend. The great thing about this story is that you do not need to be familiar with the previous plot to be able to tell the characters apart. They are developed just as well  in the second story are they were in the first. A very good story with a well developed plot that moves the story along and sets us up for the next installment, which cannot get here soon enough. 

Keto Cookbooks for the digital diet

Amazing Keto Casseroles
By Tibor Szentkiralyi

This cookbook offers some great "go-to" keto recipes that can be easily tweaked to include your choice of protein. For example, I am not much of a chicken leg person but I will happily munch on a thigh and when you wrap it in bacon it makes it that much better, am I right?! Each recipe also come with a picture like all good cookbooks should so you have an idea as to what your meal should at least somewhat resemble when you have prepped and cooked it. There is also a breakdown of the calorie content as far as the basics go so you know how many carbs net and total. One suggestion I would make is for the Cabbage Beef Casserole and that it can be made as a casserole or as cabbage rolls making it super easy to portion out for lunches. Also, as I do not weight my ingredients I prefer the recipes to have standard measurement values such as cups and tablespoons instead of ounces. These recipes would not only appeal to the Keto people but also to the busy folks who want a meal ready in 5 ingredients or less, which is what most of these recipes use. I look forward to seeing what my customers think of the recipes as I add them to my meal prep lineup.

February 2020 Cozys

Thank you to NetGalley and the various publishing houses for sharing these advanced released copies for review.

Southern Double Cross (A Southern B&B Mystery)

By Caroline Fardig

Published by Alibi

Best Bellandini sisters B&B mystery yet! Quinn gets dragged into yet another murder mystery because she did the right thing. What starts off as a charity event ends in tragedy or at least in murder with a side of larceny and fellow band member Pepper 's brother Parker is left holding the bag containing the bloody and expensive cat statue. Naturally, Pepper demands that Quinn makes it right and get Parker out of jail and off the hook for murder, larceny, well that is another story. Tucker, ever the southern gentleman respects Quinn's need to help but is even more worried this time around because one of the thieves could also be a murderer and the Bellandini sisters are sleuthing in all the scary places. Delilah, or D as Quinn refers to her, has decided that the less savory interviews will be her and Pepper's task, which leaves the social elite for Quinn to deal with, I mean to entertain. Are we sure that the killer is a hoodlum or might it be one of Mag's own frenemies since she seems to be keeping her friends close but her enemies close enough to stab her in the back. This is a great third book for this series and I very much like the blossoming romance and the realness of their disagreement and the way they work things out. Even D gets a taste of romance in this one. It definitely looks like Tucker Heyward is here to stay regardless of his Mother's foolish attempts to spread untruth's about their relationship status or the female sharks aka Savannah's social "sh"elite (debutantes). Best of all, I now have another scone recipe to try out!

Pies Before Guys

By Kristen Weiss

Published by Kensington Books

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a pie tin UFO! Charlene is a social media genius or a social media madwoman depending on who you ask. Oh but that is not all that Charlene and Val are up to, nope there is, of course, the usual mayhem this time it is in the form of a poetry slam hosted by Pie Town and Abril featuring various Lit department professors which results in a poet sliced. Sliced by his own saber, Professor Michael Starke is no more. Apparently, he was no more a professor, no more a poet, and no more a gentleman since he had a new female TA every year. So who done it? Was it a heart-broken TA, his ex-wife, her current boyfriend who was also a member of the Lit department, could it have been Abril? Of course, it can't be Abril and not just because Val's brother has a bit of a crush and wants Val to do her thing and keep Abril off the cops radar. Speaking of cops...Hunky Detective Gordon Charmichael, Val is convinced that they are in a honeymoon phase and he is looking at her with rose-colored glasses. because he isn't against the Baker Street Bakers meddling/investigating as much as usual. Great next story for this cast, I still can't complete visualize Val's little house but I am glad that she has one. The story was excellent and the red herrings were perfectly served up to keep one guessing as to the outcome. I was even guessing about Val and Gordon but was sure that it would all work out in the end. Cannot wait to make the apple pie recipe with a slight twist, I will be making hand pies.

Egg Drop Dead

By Vivien Chien

Published by St. Martin's Paperbacks

Lana Lee meets Crazy Rich Asians with a dash of homicide and egg drop soup. The Ho-Lee House of Noodles has added catering to its offerings and Lana and the crew gets a look at how the other half lives and how the other half's nanny dies. Oh, and having lots of money just means that your "friends" aren't necessarily mean to you but boy are they gossipy. This time she vows to not get involved but when Donna Feng, owner of the Asian Village and the host for their first catering gig, Lana can't say no. Oddly enough her boyfriend, Detective Adam Trudeau, is not the least bit surprised that she and her roommate Megan are "investigating" and is actually supportive. Of course, this could be because it isn't his case and he doesn't know anyone in the Westlake Police Department. I am really enjoying how the characters are in sync with each other and that Lana's investigating is being taken more seriously by her completely professional detective boyfriend.  There are several suspects and Lana and Megan work their way through the list sure that this is not a mob-style problem even if Donna swears up and down that her nanny's death was a warning to her. Lana even gets to work with an honest to goodness P.I. on this one ..and that is as far as I go with regards to spoilers. The only thing that would make this book any better would be to have some recipes waiting for me at the end of the story since I tend to get hungry reading about dim sum Sundays and all the wonderful menu items that Peter makes, or even one of Megan's Zodiac cocktails would be a yummy addition. As always, you don't have to read a previous Lana Lee book to get the awesome flavor of the storyline but as with most Chinese food, a little later you will be wanting more.

Coconut Layer Cake Murder (Hannah Swenson Mystery)

By Joanne Fluke

Published by Kennsington Books

The best part about a Hannah Swenson Cookie Jar mystery is that there are RECIPES! Not just two or three but multitudes! The only problem is that I feel the urge to stop reading and start cooking at the end of various chapters where the recipes are printed. Much like Hannah I feel torn. Of course, I'm torn between the mystery and the cooking while she is torn between Norman and Mike the two love interests who have been there since the early days. Personally, I say that there is no competition as I am a big fan of the dentist. But I digress and should be writing about this new release. Nice storyline! I like that so many people have come to recognize how good Hannah's deductive reasoning skills are and that they are only surpassed by her excellent cooking skills. If Hannah was a real person she is definitely someone you would want in your corner after all, how many people would fly back from sunny southern California at a moment's notice to help find a killer and exonerate their baby sister's boyfriend? Of course part of the draw is that Hannah likes the challenge and quite frankly there just weren't enough detectives to properly handle the investigation because one of their own has been made suspect numero uno. While I have been a huge Hannah Swenson fan for a decade and a half and know the backstories and all the shared drama, it isn't necessary information to be able to be drawn into this plot and keep track of who, what, where, when, or how. Each character had a chance to show you a little something about them so that you can really be immersed in the plot and feel like a part of it. I do believe that this is the first Hannah novel where I actually figured out the who, the why, and at least part of the how before the big reveal. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to get busy trying out the mug cake recipe for my afternoon break at work.

Death By Chocolate Frosted Donut

By Sarah Graves

Published by Kensington Books

Pirates and pompousness descend upon Eastport, Maine for the annual Eastport Pirate Festival. The pirates are everywhere which is good for business at the Chocolate Moose bakery owned and operated by Jake (Jacobia) Tiptree and Ellie White. The pompous part is played by Henry Hadlyme, well-known food authority and TV personality. Hadlyme, much former resident of Eastport is back and making waves by making scornful remarks about several of the local eateries including the Chocolate Moose. To even insinuate that they used carob instead of the finest ingredients was mutinous. His haughty attitude does not help him one but and does nothing but rile up Jake when he dares to show up to tape a podcast segment at the shop. Unfortuneately for Jake and her proclivity to be fiercely protective of her own (business, family, friends, town) a very loud and public scene takes place. Next comes the finding of Hadlyme's dead body, in the Moose's cellar, skewered with Wade's  antique cutlass and adorned with Ephraim's plush parrot. Suspect #1 is Jake who is not going down this road again even though her good friend, police chief Bob, does not have her on his list, the State police just might. One thing to know about this book is that you are going to be craving chocolate before the end and wondering just how Jake gets herself into the positions/scrapes that she does. Oh wait, nope you'll quickly realize that she has a partner in crime, or rather crime-solving by was of her best friend and partner Ellie. It seems that there is more than one person who didn't like Hadlyme and they are actually locals. Old history and new motives will be discovered, sort of like the Double-Chocolate Ginger cookies (recipe at the end of the book) who would have though to make a wafer cookie with candied ginger and chocolate. The only thing more mysterious in this story than the sleek black pirate ship named the Jenny is the absence of the recipe for their chocolate donuts. This is a very entertaining story, it has several plot twists and keeps you going right up to the end. You do not have to be familiar with the characters and the author does a nice job of including a few pages of past history for Jake so you can read just how she ended up in Eastport, with the Chocolate Moose, a very large home, and a husband named Wade. Not to mention that any book with recipes is a winner and recipes featuring chocolate is treasure worth searching for.

Dressed Up 4 Murder (Sophie Kimball Mystery #6)

By J.C. Eaton

Published by Kennsington Books

Sketchy seafood and a canine costumes is a backdrop for the latest Sophie "Phee" Kimball mystery. This series has me laughing out loud, between Phee's Mom (Harriet Plunkett) and her dog Streetman and the Booked 4 Murder book group ladies these books are definite page-turners. It starts out with Streetman finding a dead body under the grill in the neighbor's yard, so now Harriet is sure that Streetman is well on his way to being a cadaver dog. Not to mention that Harriet is going to drive Phee crazy until Nate Williams (Phee's former coworker from Minnesota) and Marshall Gregory (also a former coworker and now her boyfriend) of William's Investigations sort the matter out since Harriet is sure the local police detectives are no different than the Keystone Cops. Truth be told, it does seem that they need to consult with William's Investigations more often than not. There are multiple suspects and multiple plots and in the middle of it all is a series of three canine holiday-related fashion shows that could rival the pomp and circumstance of Milan, not to mention the attitudes of the competitors. Thank goodness Phee is level headed and has a very supportive boyfriend to live with who is completely open to her brainstorming the case and coming up with very viable leads. I very much like the different qualities of the characters as well as the interpersonal interactions. This is a light-hearted and fun book much like the ones that came before it.

Murder Makes Scents
By Christin Brecher
Published by Kensington Books

I was really curious as to how the author was going to get Stella involved in a Parisian murder mystery. As it turns out, Stella and Millie brought a mystery and some very exotic scents back with them from Paris to Nantucket. Stella is a thoroughly engaging character who has an obvious love fo family, friends, and her hometown with all of its history. All of the characters are introduced and developed right along with the mystery, which keeps you engaged regardless of whether you have read the first book or not. In book 2, several out of towners including a few on hand for an auspicious and friendly get together with some of Millie's old high school classmates adds even more characters to this puzzle. Multiple parties and multiple suspects keep Stella on her toes, not to mention how oddly her beau Peter has been acting lately. Throw in a federal agent and you have the makings for a murder that might just make scents! Oh and I can't wait until cranberry season when I can try my hand at Gram Scully's Cranberry Pie, chances are I will make minis to give as gifts. The candle making tips are great for crafters as well and I am tempted to use some of my silicone baking molds to make some seasonal candles.

Murder in an Irish Cottage (Irish Village Mystery Book #5)
By Carlene O'Connor
Published by Kensington Books

Fiancés, Family, and  Fairies, and all at the same time. Oh my! Macdara is called in by his blind cousin to investigate the death of her Mom. That same death is being blamed on the fair folk rather than a person of flesh and bone easily found in the village near where the incident took place. Such superstitious beliefs are why cousin Jane does not even trust the local police force to get to the bottom of this mystery. Shiobhan, being the excellent guarda that she is will not hesitate to help Macdara as well as keeping an open mind about who or why the killing took place regardless of the ties that bind and sometimes blind. One does not have to be familiar with this storyline to be able to enjoin this next installment. I have only read the previous book in the series and it has no bearing on this one other than the engagement proposal. In addition to giving this Yank a look into the country Irish ways it also inspired me to make several Irish dishes to enjoy while reading the book. There are several possible suspects from the neighbors to a town councilman. Was it unhappy fairies or a greedy horde hunter?

On the Lamb (Kabob Kitchen Mystery Book #4)
By Tina Kashian
Published by Kensington Books

Sturgis goes to the Sea, or a much tamer title would be Bikers on the Beach. There must be something freeing about the feeling of riding on the back of motorcycle with the wind all around you as you speed down the coastline, almost as fancy free as getting your own place. Lucy moves out of home and takes up residence in a furnished upstairs apartment with a killer view, a very active senior landlady who is looking to fend off a greedy nephew bent on getting control of her beachfront home. No need to read previous Kabob Kitchen stories to be able to keep up with a current installment. Each book does a great job as a stand alone, as well as building a great series. Lucy is an excellent character with a great lineup of friends and a romance that is blossoming after having been nipped in the bud so many years ago. This current cozy has Lucy running around town with bikers, thanks to Michael (who is just a friend, no really, she is totally committed to her relationship with Azad) as well as investigating with her BFF Katie. There is no way that Melanie the sweet girl who makes those sweet treats could have possibly killed the creepy nephew (who was also her sleazy storefront landlord) even if he did choke on his words and her saltwater toffee. There are so many other suspects to choose from and Lucy is sure that she can find the right one and get Melanie out of this sticky situation. A page turner to be sure with a great storyline, fun and creative characters and best of all...RECIPES! Yay me for being able to try my hand at some lamb kabobs!  

Who's Dead Doc (A Jules and Bun Mystery)

By J.M. Griffin

Published by Kensington Books

Bun and Jules are back and this time the untimely death of everyone's NOT favorite person, Evelyn; takes place right next to a birthday party gig. No one saw anything, except that Jules noticed Evelyn and party hostess Carina having a very heated conversation before the start of the party. The only redeeming trait that Evelyn possessed was her love of rabbits and her excellent organization of the rabbit show taking place at the Windermere Exhibition Hall. As luck would have it, Jules is asked to be a judge. This gives her and Bun the opportunity to help a frazzled Carina as well as be the eyes and ears for Sheriff Jack Carver (at his request). You don't need to have read the previous book to be caught up with the "superpowered" Bun and Fur Bridge Farm owner Juliette Bridge. The story offers several viable suspects and I didn't even realize who the true villain was until the big reveal. The story moves along at a good pace, of course, part of that is due to Bun's desire to hop to it! I would like to see a romantic element added to the story just because I am a die-hard romantic cozy reader and figure that for all the times Officer Andy is looking out for Jules, there should be a little spark there, just maybe. A very good story that I hope, will keep multiplying just like rabbits!

A Crafter Quilts a Crime

By Holly Quinn

Published by Crooked Lane

Best one yet! Like a roller coaster, this story plunges you into a murder right off the bat and then twists and turns you through the suspects. No one would have expected the local yoga instructor to drop dead, and in a display window no less during the Fire and Ice event. Plus there are the S.H.E. girls who are ready to rumble when it looks like Emily's husband is a suspect. Of course Detective Nash repeatedly asks them to step back and let him do his job to the point where their friction is almost as apparent as their attraction.  I really enjoy reading about how close the three ladies are and how they have each others' backs no matter what. Last but not least I can't wait to make meatball soup and crustless quiche and am so glad that the author included these recipes. If I was a quilter I am sure that I would enjoy the Patched Flight lap quilt pattern.

In Cold Chamomile

By Joy Avon

Published by Crooked Lane Books

Callie Aspen and her Great Aunt Iphy are busy prepping for the big Valentine's event at Haywood Hall, comprised of sweet treats, sweet music, and maybe even some sweet sales after getting an expert appraisal for an old book or antique. The last thing Callie expected to be doing for Valentines was aiding and abetting her Aunt Iphy in a little bit of sleuthing. It was a lovely event until the appraiser winds up deceased and it looks like the mysterious and world-famous baritone singer from Iphy's past is the #1 suspect. Callie thinks the world of Aunt Iphy and there isn't anything she wouldn't do to help, but Iphy is putting Callie in a bad position when Detective Ace Faulk pleads with Callie to trust him and to stay out of the investigation. Maybe if Callie was more sure of where she stood with Ace, then she would be able to resist Aunt Iphy's fact-finding adventures. There is no way that Callie is going to let anything happen to Iphy, not if she can help it, even if Iphy isn't being completely forthcoming about the mysterious Sean Strong. You do not need to have read the previous books in the series to understand how important Iphy is to Callie or how close Callie wants to be to Ace. It certainly pulls on the heartstrings that Callie is having to make a choice between her heart and her heart. Callie has a great way of looking at things and has well thought out ideas. I only wish there were some pictures of Iphy's wonderful cake creations at the end of the book, what a masterpiece those would be to construct. Without giving away the story I am going to say that I can't wait for the next book because I was not quite satisfied with how this one ended. All in all, another excellent TeaBook mystery. 

Magic

The following unbiased reviews are given in exchange for early access by NetGalley and publishers.

Pawsitively Secretive (Witch of Edgehill Mystery #3)
By Melissa Erin Jackson
Published by Ringtail Press

Amber is back and this time her secret is pivotal in the recovery of her young friend and daughter of the mayor, Chloe. Secrets seem to be the central focus of this latest Witch of Edgehill mystery. The Here and Meow Event sounds like a blast and how creative is Ms. Jackson with all of the feline inspired event titles?!?! I think I might have actually  chortled when I read the words "Hair Ball." This book had me in complete suspense as Amber flexed her witchy muscles, with the help of cousin Edgar. Without spilling  spoilers I will go as far as to say that I much prefer the way this latest book ended in co parison to its predecessor. I will also point out that you do not have read the previous adventure to be able to follow along and understand why or how the characters develope and interact. I am already looking forward to the next one.

The Immortal City

By Amy Kuivalainen

Published by BHC Press

What an incredible story! A new telling of an old myth set in an exotic background with a diverse cast of characters. Dr. Penelope Bryne is not living her life the way her father would like or insists but she is living her life the way she dreams. Called to the seafloor by a mysterious force resulting in an amazingly historic find, Dr. Bryne is determined to find any trace of the fabled and mystical Atlantis. The last thing she expects is to be called by the Venice Polizia to consult on a ritualistic killing. Great story development which enabled me to lose all track of time, but in a very good way. This book has mystery, intrigue, romance, laughs, tears, history, and really good espresso (according to Penelope). Did I mention the romance, it teases with its magical, mysterious magician who can quite literally sweep Penelope off her feet and transport her to his tower. I eagerly await the next installment with much anticipation!

January 2020 Cozys

Thank you to NetGalley and various Publishers for making these advanced reader copies available for review.

The Book of Candlelight
By Ellery Adams
Published by Kensington Books

This was a little edgier than my usual cozy choices. I had not read the previous book but did not feel that I was out of the loop and in fact it looked like at least one new main character was added as well as a few side characters.  I liked how it wove a forgotten history into the modern mystery. The addition of Cherokee lore as part of the story makes it stand out as well. I would absolutely LOVE to see a bookstore set up like Nora's Miracle Books complete with train car effect and with similar staff.  I have always used the world of cozy fiction to brighten my day or relax after a bit of stress, so I can see how of bibliotherapy would be a viable and remarkable talent. Nora has a great depth of character and chances are that I will search out the earlier book to get her whole back story. She seems very "girl power" and her book club friends are like family, while at the same time she doesn't discount Jed's attention and efforts but shows a vulnerable side that has doubts. Without giving away too much I will say that several poignant topics are approached from honesty, hate (and not the way you might think), to greed,  the stigma of having a debilitating autoimmune issue that flairs and subsidies, as well as redemption, and hope.  The Reader's Guide at the back of the book makes this a great choice for any book club. My only request would be that the recipe for the Comfort Scones and the book pockets be included in the next edition.

Much Ado About Nutmeg
By Sarah Fox
Published by Lyrical Press

Marley and the Pancake House gang are cooking up some delicious meals for the Golden Oldies athletes as well as preparing for Marley and Brett's upcoming beach wedding. With the influx of visitors and competitors, there is rarely an empty seat at least until the back to back deaths that couldn't possibly be related other than by location.  Marley cannot help but ask questions although this time the pancake flipper is in the other hand when Sienna, one of her waitstaff wants to play Nancy Drew as well. Like the ones before it, this latest pancake house mystery kept me enthralled and entertained not to mention the pancake cravings. I cannot wait to make the Banana Nut Pancakes this weekend. The author does a great job of reminding the reader of how and why Marley feels and does the things she does so it is not necessary to have read the previous books to be able to follow the storyline or character development. You don't have to read the early books but after you have one, they are like the tempting pancake and crepe meals described in the stories, you are going to want more.  

There's Murder Afoot (A Sherlock Holmes Bookstore Mystery)
By Vicki Delaney
Published by Crooked Lane Books

Gemma Doyle takes her amazing powers of observation on a brief holiday across the pond bringing her entourage with her to a Sherlockian convention where she is set to present as well as accept honors on behalf of her Great Uncle. The last thing she expects to do is meet her Mother's estranged younger brother and have to solve his murder and thereby saving her father suspicion of murder. One doesn't have to be familiar with back stories to understand the players or know which game is afoot. The author does a nice job of creating a parallel between the main Sherlock characters and the main characters in the Sherlock Holmes bookshop mysteries. This latest one definitely gave a nod to the Mycroft character. Don't expect these to be modern day adaptations, no these are completely new and interesting stories with a new and interesting main character. I would love to have a fraction of the powers of observation that Gemma not only posses but also makes great use of while systematically hunting for clues with her Dr. Watson aka Jayne and the romantic aspect with West London Detective Ryan Ashburton. The only thing missing is some recipes from Mr. Hudson's Tea Room.

Bound for Murder (A Blue Ridge Library Mystery)
By Victoria Gilbert
Published by Crooked Lane Books

Amy Webber, Blue Ridge Library director and #1 researcher should be researching wedding venues for her upcoming nuptials but instead  is asked to dig into the archives in hopes of assisting the police department with the recent discovery of a skeleton found on Sunny's grandparents organic farm, formerly a hippie commune in the 60"s. History tells of some unsavory events and people coming and going from the commune back in the day and  Amy wants to do all she can to help the Grans, but she gets the feeling that they aren't being completely honest with her even though they have asked her to give their former commune residents a "heads up" as to the investigation. Turns out the skeleton is a local boy/musician who was supposed to have left for California. This small town story attracts the attention of a free lance reporter who is also looking into missing persons from the 60's involving drug related activities. While it isn't necessary to have read previous books, it does help you understand the nuances with each character a little bit better. Amy's romance with her neighbor now fiancé Richard, her Aunt Lydia, the mysterious Kurt Kendrick, Sunny Davis her able bodied assistant and best friend, as well as some of the other characters. All in all this is an enjoyable series with a librarian who is more than your average book worm.

Tweet Cute
By Emma Lord
Published by Wednesday Books

Tweet Cute was Too Cute! I do like a good YA book with a little snark and a lot of he said/she said. Today's generation knows how to navigate the social media waters like it's a kiddie pool but Pepper and Jake are definitely seasoned swimmers.  What starts out as a media campaign between a Big Burger post and the Mom & Pop sandwich shop turns into a roller coaster ride of thrills and a test of wills. Pepper is a hard-working, get it done girl who is trying to keep Mom happy, keep her Dad happy, and keep her sister from being mad at her Mom because of the breakdown of the relationship with her Dad.  Between school, swim team, getting into a top-notch college, and Big Burger social media there isn't much time for Pepper to focus on Pepper. On the other side is Jack, dive team star, class clown, and hardest worker at his parents' sandwich shop. Jack is in charge of social media for the shop as well as his twin brother's keeper as it would seem. Sparks fly when Big Burger seems to have stolen the secret recipe to Jack's Grandmother's grilled cheese sandwich. As the tweets twitter, Pepper and Jack's snark turns to more, but wait, there is an illegal chat app that has been banned by the school that plays a part in this story as well. I'm not one for spoilers so you will have to read the book when it comes out on January 21, 2020, to see just how good it is. 

Giving Thanks for Holiday Cozys

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for making these books available for reading and reviewing.

A Very Mummy Holiday
By Lynn Cahoon
Published by Lyrical Press

Who would have thought that a simple preholiday vacation would turn out to be a murder mystery. Murder does not go on holiday or maybe it's just that  Jill Gardner and her crew  can't take one with out a little drama.   Jill, Greg, and a couple of friends, Kathi Corbin and Blake Jennings went to the coast for some fun and relaxation. Who doesn't like a little dune buggy joy riding. That is until a diamond ring is found with a body still attached to it..
Keep in mind this is a novella so it will be a quick ride to solve the heart wrenching mystery of what happened to the bride before the wedding. The criminal element seemed obvious but I did like the character interaction as always with this group. Be sure to give the pie recipe a chance, you will be glad you did, not only did it come out as pretty as a picture but it also very flavorful.

Cozy Christmas Holidays & New Year's Eve

These unbiased reviews are given in exchange for NetGalley and multiple publisher access

Murder in the First Edition
By Lauren Elliot
Published by Kensington Publishing

Let me start by saying that I am loving this series, BUT....Addie needs to make a choice.  I realize that making a choice means moving on and the holidays are a difficult  time, full of memories  of what was and dreams of what could have been. Her mysterious almost father in law doesn't help things with his unexpected  arrival. Of course neither does a murder compounded by the loss of a rare 1st edition Christmas Carol, by Dickens that was to be auctioned at a charity benefit for the hospital. So many loose and crazy threads in this one. Almost like there are multiple plots, multiple suspects, and multiple issues, both life threatening and heart wrenching. Addie needs the support of her friends if she is going to figure this one out, support and a little of that Christmas spirit. Not a fan of multiple leading men suffice to say, I agree with Serena that a choice needs to be made before someone else makes it for her. Team Simon.

Southern Harm
By Caroline Fardig
Published by Alibi

The Ghosts of High School past come back to haunt the Christmas present. Quinn and Tucker were constructing a fire pit for Tucker's Aunt Lela as her Christmas present and they dig up a skeleton. It was believed that  Ester Sinclair had skipped town, perhaps to get away from her very parochial parents, right after graduation. Ester and her parents were in the same class and even ran in the same circles. The discovered body does not bode well for Aunt Lela, whose fiery temper from days past makes her suspect #1. Quinn and her vivacious sister Delilah start digging up the past and soon other suspects come to life which does not make the situation any better. I love the way Quinn wants to do all she can to help Tucker and his Aunt, especially  since Tucker's parents are to good to be bothered with such scandal. This story features mean girls, high school high jinx, ancient history, and even a family history. People are hiding secrets, including the girls' parents, but that won't stop the Bellandini sisters from investigating. Although this time they promise to be more careful. My only request of these stories is that those wonderful breakfast pastries be featured at the end of the story in recipe form! Held my attention all the way through with well placed tidbits of info and an engaging storyline.

A Legacy of Murder (A Kate Hamilton Mystery)
By Connie Berry
Published by Crooked Lane Books

Kate Hamilton is back across the pond visiting her daughter on Holiday for the Christmas Holiday. Which times perfectly with a rendezvous with Detective Inspector Thomas Mallory of the Suffolk Constabulary, or Tom as he prefers Kate to call him. After their chance encounter and murder mystery in Scotland the two have decided to get to know each other better. Unfortunately it looks like this will be a case of deja vu in a new locale. In addition to the death of an intern, there is the Finchley family scandal, missing jewels, some new relationship friction, and Christine's boy drama. I am surprised that Kate is able to keep all the players straight. The character development is "spot on" and the location history certainly adds to the intrigue of the story. The only thing this story needs is some true quality time for the couple, but I am sure that will be left for another novel.

Tide and Punishment
By Bree Baker
Published by Poisoned Pen Press

Charm, North Carolina is absolutely charming and as sweet as the tea that Everly brews in her tea shop. Equally sweet and a little bit sassy are her Great-Aunts Clara and Fran, especially Fran who planned to run against the current Mayor. Clara has a goal of her own as she has plans to create and give away a multitude of gnomes this holiday season. Unfortunately neither the gnomes or Mayor Dunfree survive to see Christmas and Aunt Fran is suspect #1. Officer Grady Hays must do his job regardless of what he might feel for Everly and Everly will not stop pursuing the killer until her Aunt Fran is exonerated. To make matters worse the local gossip column the Town Charmer  is not helping matters as the pot gets stirred up. Then on top of that, the Outer Banks is blanketed in snow and the honorable Senator Denver, Hays' deceased wife's mother is coming to town to make sure her Grandson Denver is doing well given the new home and recent loss of his mother. So many moving parts, but that won't stop Everly from getting to the bottom of this next installment of a Seaside Café mystery. You have to admire that kind of dedication to family and to her heart. Great read and an unexpected villain to boot.

Have a Deadly New Year
By Lynn Cahoon
Published by Lyrical Underground

This is a Farm to Fork cozy novella, which means it is short an sweet and a little sour. Actually, the recipe at the end of the story is sweet and sour and I would definitely suggest trying it since it involves bacon and everything is always better with bacon. There is one thing that isn't better with bacon, and that is murder. A little post holiday catering job and a week of recipe/menu tweaking is all Angie and the staff of County Seat had in mind when agreeing to work for Cliff Henry and his band the Postal Mutiny. The last thing they expected was rocker drama and murder. Since this is a novella the clues come fast and furious as the story unfolds. Plenty of suspects plenty of motives and worst of all is that the County Seat crew are stuck with a murderer in a mountain cabin because of a snow storm which makes it impossible to leave right away. I was somewhat surprised as to how the book ended and a little disappointed that Ian was not a part of the story. Strictly speaking, you wouldn't need to have read a previous Farm to Fork mystery but they are excellent stories with a great cast of characters and recipes to boot!