Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Mystery

Hello Little Girl by Kay Bratt

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Title: Hello Little Girl
Author: Kay Bratt
Series: Hart’s Ridge #10
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Main Character: Taylor, Lydia
Other Characters: Sam, Caleb, Mira Jill, Dom, Martha
Stars: 5

Another great book by Kay Bratt, the 10th edition of Hart’s Ridge does not disappoint.

The protagonist of the book, Taylor, has a loving family and a loving partner in life—everything she could ever want. She struggles to maintain a healthy balance between her personal life and her work as a sheriff’s deputy. She has dealt with an alcoholic father and a mother she believed to be dead, so her family means the world to her. She has taken on the roles of both mother and father for her sisters. She is passionate about her profession as a sheriff deputy and aspires to advance in her position. Is she putting herself in danger while doing this?

We also take a closer look at an earlier case involving a missing person whose disappearance remains unresolved. While her husband, Caleb, makes frantic efforts to locate his wife, Lydia remains in captivity and struggles to survive. She also needs to think about someone else. Is it possible for her to save herself without endangering everyone else? Taylor, who has been leading this case, has been taken off of it since she has been assigned an undercover case. Two additional characters, Jill & Martha, who are crucial to the plot, are also introduced to us.

Since the first book in the series, I have adored it. This is a compelling tale of strong women who will stop at nothing to survive. It’s about defending others while they attempt to preserve themselves, as well as hope, survival, and tenacity. This book captured my attention from the first page on. It’s a page-turner that was difficult for me to put down. The suspenseful tale of confinement, captivity, survival, and doing whatever it takes keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.

Even though these books are fiction, the author draws inspiration from actual events, which she discusses at the conclusion of the book. Check out her note at the end for information on the actual life events that inspired her.

This series is best read in order as each book builds on the previous one.

Happy Reading!

Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Mystery

Deadly Deception by Tammy L. Grace

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  • Title: Deadly Deception
  • Author: Tammy L. Grace
  • Series: Cooper Harrington Detective #5
  • Genre: Mystery
  • Location: Nashville, TN
  • Main Character: Cooper Harrington
  • Other Characters: Annabelle, Ben, Camille, Charley, Michelle, Victoria, Author, Bridget, Joe, Randy
  • Pets: Coops loyal Golden Retriever Gus
  • Stars: 5

“I’m not always right, but I am never wrong”

Book 5 in the Cooper Harrington Series does not disappoint. I am really enjoying this series. The reason I began reading it in the first place was that it is set in Nashville, TN. It references places I am familiar with, so it’s easy to visualize being there. That’s not far from me, and I visit there often, so I was intrigued.

Cooper and AB are at a secluded estate for a fundraiser gala that features a staged murder mystery. While looking for clues to the staged murder, Coop and AB stumble upon a real murder. The victim is a prominent politician who is currently running for office. The event organizers are concerned that this may damage the gala’s reputation, so they hire Coop to investigate and find the person who could have committed this crime. With the attendants of this gala being politicians and the rich and famous this will not be an easy task.

Until the murderer is found, this book immerses the reader in the political realm and the private lives of the elite through deceit and intrigue. If you are a fan of a great mystery with a lot of suspects, twists & turns and a surprise ending, you will love this series.

Since the first book, I have adored Coop. The reader is captivated by the eccentric characters’ unique characteristics and is eager to learn more about them. And then there’s Coop’s faithful friend Gus! It’s impossible to resist falling in love with the golden retriever.

“IT WAS ME. I LET THE DOGS OUT.”

Happy Reading!

Fiction, Mystery

Cold Killer by Tammy L. Grace

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  • Title: Cold Killer
  • Author: Tammy L. Grace
  • Series: Cooper Harrington Detective Series #4
  • Genre: Mystery
  • Location: Nashville, TN
  • Main Character: Cooper Harrington
  • Other Characters: Dax, Ben, AB, Frank, Lindsay Adele, Gavin, Aunt Camille, Charley
  • Pets: Coop’s Dog Gus
  • Stars: 5

“In my defense, I was left unsupervised”

Just when I think I couldn’t enjoy this series more, Ms. Grace writes another great mystery. This one just may be my favorite in this series so far. That could be, in part, that I love a good cold case.

I always love to catch up with Coop, AB, Aunt Camille and of course, Coop’s furry faithful companion Gus. Coop is a lawyer turned Private Investigator who took over his uncle’s practice when he passed away. Coop is fun with all of his sarcastic t-shirts that he wears. When he has to be professional, he will just through a jacket over them. He gets really involved with his clients and won’t quit until he solves the case. Just a warning, I think I gain 10 pounds with every book just reading about all the food they eat. lol

In this episode, Coop’s client, Dax, was killed 25 years ago. The problem is that he’s back; he believes he knows who attempted to murder him and he wants Coop to confirm his identity and identify the person who tried to kill him 25 years ago. This is a fantastic narrative in which Coop tries to piece together the mystery surrounding a man who is thought to be dead while also reuniting a family that has been split up for 25 years. This book takes you in several directions to solve a crime. As Coop and AB search for persons who were around 25 years ago and probe their memory of possible events, they uncover a number of suspects.

While trying to prove Dax is who he claims to be and figuring out who wanted him dead, they also need to identify the person who is buried beneath Dax’s headstone. There is a family out there who is missing a loved one and they need to know what happened.

If you love a good mystery with a great cast of characters and a dog, you are going to love this series. If I ever need a private investigator, I want one like Coop. He doesn’t stop until he solves his case. He is loyal, honest and a great friend who also adores his famliy. Well maybe except for his mom. That’s another story you encounter while reading this series.

This book will keep the reader on the edge of their seat as the mystery is unraveled & secrets are divulged while a killer is finally discovered.

“Before coffee: judgmental & sarcastic after coffee: judgmental & sarcastic, but faster.”

Happy Reading,

Cozy Mystery

The Firework Frenzy by Kathi Daley

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  • Title: The Firework Frenzy
  • Author: Kathi Daley
  • Series: Tess & Tilly #17
  • Genre: Cozy Mystery
  • Location: White Eagle, Montana
  • Main Character: Tess
  • Other Characters: Tony, Bree, Mike
  • Pets: Tess & Tony’s Dogs Tilly 2 cats named Tang & Tilly
  • Stars: 5

The Firework Frenzy is the seventeenth book in the Tess & Tilly series. I have loved Tess and Tilly since the very first book. It is hard to not get invested in their characters and see where their life may lead them

The yearly fireworks in White Eagle are almost ready to begin as the Fourth of July draws near. When Tess finds out that the fireworks show will now take place at the little lake close to the wildlife rescue, she becomes upset. She worries about what might happen to the local wildlife as a result. Wilton Arlington, the president of the Chamber of Commerce, is unyielding in her attempts to reason with him. Unfortunately, she was witnessed threatening Mr. Arlington if he didn’t move the fireworks back where they have always been. When Mr. Arlington is killed by a fire at his home caused by fireworks being detonated, Tess becomes the prime suspect. Tess is attempting to establish she is innocent of this crime, assisted by her brother Mike and husband Tony.

Even though they are working on clearing Tess’s name and proving she couldn’t have committed this crime, most of the book is them talking about the 4th of July cookout they are going to have at Tess & Tony’s home on the lake. Tess tries to convince her mother out of inviting Uncle Garrett because, as readers of the rest of the story will know, Uncle Garrett is actually Tess and Mike’s father who is presumed dead.

I love Tess & Tilly and all the characters I have come to know in this series. I enjoy the mystery surrounding Tess & Mike’s dad and we find out more about that in this book. The characters are well thought out and 3 dimensional. The mystery wasn’t hard to figure out, but I still enjoyed the book. You can read the books out of order but I highly recommend reading them in order so you can get to know these characters and fall in love with them as I have.

Happy Reading

Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Mystery

Dead Wrong by Tammy L . Grace

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  • Title: Dead Wrong
  • Author: Tammy L. Grace
  • Series: Cooper Harrington Detective #3
  • Genre: Cozy Mystery
  • Location: Nashville, TN
  • Main Character: Cooper
  • Other Characters: AB, Ben, Chandler
  • Pets: Coop’s Golden Retriever Gus
  • Stars: 5

“Don’t blame yourself, let me do it,”

This is the 3rd book in the Cooper Harrington Detective series. I am enjoying this series. I did like the book prior better, but this one is good. I really like Coop and all the T-shirts he wears with funny sayings. It really brings some comic relief. Gus is my favorite, but I am a sucker for a story with a dog.

Coop is contacted by Chandler, a college acquaintance. Chandler’s business partner has been killed under mysterious circumstances and he is the prime suspect. He swears he didn’t do it and he wants Cooper to prove his innocence and find the really killer. With all the evidence pointing to Chandler, this may be a tough one for Coop. Coop wants to believe his friend but as he keeps investigating even he may doubt his innocence.

Turns out there are quite a few suspects but no proof as to who could have done it. It is looking like Chandler has motive and opportunity which doesn’t look good for him. As Coop keeps digging, he undercovers some secrets which leads him in the direction of the killer. This one takes some twists and turns with plenty of surprises to find a killer. Could Coop find out that Chandler really is a killer or does the evidence send him a different direction?

Even though this series could be read out of order, I strongly recommend reading them on order so the reader can really get to know Cooper and the other characters. In each book we are learning more and more about Coop and his family. I really love learning more about the characters and Cooper’s relationship with his aunt. I keep thinking the author is going to write a romance with Coop and AB but there is still a part of me that really likes their friendship and could a romance ruin that. I guess time will tell. I am looking forward to the next book.

“When I die, the dog gets everything”

Happy Reading!

Fiction, Romance, Women's Fiction

Happy Harbor by Rachel Hanna

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  • Title: Happy Harbor
  • Author: Rachel Hanna
  • Genre: Romance, Women’s Fiction
  • Location: Happy Harbor in the Lowcountry of South Carolina
  • Main Character: Josie
  • Other Characters: Kendra, Diane, Walker
  • Stars: 5

If you have ever wanted to live in a setting from a Hallmark movie, then you will love Rachel Hanna’s books. Happy Harbor is no different. I loved visiting Happy Harbor with Josie.

Josie left Happy Harbor and hoped to never return. She has a lot of bad memories from Happy Harbor. She relocated to Atlanta and had a great life until everything starts to fall apart. Dealing with her unruly teenage daughter isn’t making it any easier. As if things couldn’t get any worse, she receives a call informing her that her beloved Nana has passed away. Devastated, she must now go back to Happy Harbor, a place she prayed she would never see again. She is surprised by what her Nana’s will says and finds herself staying in Happy Harbor longer than she intended. She moves into her family’s historical home and starts running the restaurant her Nana owned. She still has every intention of returning to Atlanta once she gets everything figured out. What she didn’t expect is that her daughter would really start blossoming in Happy Harbor and then there is the handsome man living in the guest house. But when her mom shows up it throws a lot of drama in her situation, and she just wants to escape.

I love everything about this book. Josie is great despite her challenges of being a single mom of a teenage daughter and also with the struggles of her past relationship with her mom. Then there is Diane, Josie’s mother, who is doing her best to convey to Josie that she has evolved and is now a different person. There are 3 generations of women living in the same house and navigating what life has thrown at them. This is a heartwarming story of forgiveness, second chances and new beginnings.

Happy Reading!

Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Mystery

Deadly Connection by Tammy L. Grace

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  • Title: Deadly Connections
  • Author: Tammy L. Grace
  • Series: Detective Cooper Harrington #2
  • Genre: Cozy Mystery
  • Location: Nashville, TN
  • Main Character: Cooper (Coop) Carrington
  • Other Characters: Annabelle, Ben, Callie, Aunt Camille, Avery, Billy, Sadie, Hildie, Kate
  • Pets: Coop’s Golden Retriever Gus
  • Stars: 5

“Before you give me your best shot, I recommend you read my return policy.”

The Cooper Harrington detective series continues with this book, which is even better than the previous. The reader gets a better understanding of who Cooper is.

Coop becomes concerned that something is amiss when Callie is very late for an appointment. Coop and Annabelle go to Callie’s home to check on her. When she is found murdered, they find themselves navigating a maze of deceptions, cover-ups, and lies in an attempt to find a killer. It’s complex because there are numerous suspects and no clean motive for her murder.

This mystery is the kind that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I found it impossible to put it down, and the mystery—especially the motive—was challenging to unravel. I am enjoying getting to know all the regular characters in the book. Even though, each book is a separate mystery and can be read out of order, I highly recommend reading them in order so you can get to know the characters. I love learning more about Cooper and what makes him tick. Cooper is a superb private investigator who is determined to see the case through to its conclusion. To solve crimes, Coop collaborates closely with the local police detective.

This book will keep the reader guessing all the way to very end. I can’t wait to read book #3.

Happy Reading!

Cozy Mystery, Fiction

Killer Music by Tammy L . Grace

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Title: Killer MusicAuthor: Tammy L. GraceSeries: Cooper Harrington #1Genre: Cozy MysteryLocation: Nashville, TNMain Character: Cooper HarringtronOther Character: Annabelle (AB), Detective Ben Mason, Grayson Taylor, Emily, Tayler, Abby, AndyPets: Coop’s Golden Retriever named Gus

Stars: 4

Title: Killer Music
Author: Tammy L. Grace
Series: Cooper Harrington #1
Location: Nashville
Main Character: Cooper (Coop) Harrington
Other Charaters: Annabelle (AB), Detective Ben Mason, Grayson Taylor, Emily, Taylor, Abby
Stars: 4

This is my first book by this author and the first in the Cooper Harrington series. What drew me to tot his book is it’s location. It takes place in Nashville, TN and since I live about 3 hours from there, I visit frequently so I loved the idea of a book in a location I am famiia with.

Given that it is set in Nashville, it seems inevitable that the story will center around the music industry, at least in part. Cooper (aka Coop) is a lawyer turned private investigator. He worked with his uncle in his PI firm and when his uncle passed away, Coop took over the business. His new female companion invites him along to an event where some influential figures from the music and politics worlds are present.This really isn’t his thing, but he goes anyway, and in the process, he meets some interesting people including Music Mogul Grayson Taylor. Little did he know the next day, he would be investigating Grayson’s murder. There are not a lot of suspects in this case, since everyone seems to really like Grayson. As they dg deeper into the life of Grayson we find out he does have some secrets. Could these secrets be what got him killed? Since no one has a clear motive, this one is hard to figure out. It is a surprise who holds the key to unlocking this case wide open. Who else might be in danger before they find the killer!!

I like Coop, he is a bit quirky with his crazy T-shirts. He is not much of a suit and tie kinda guy. He is more jeans and T-shirts with crazy sayings type of guy. I especially love his Golden Retriever Gus. Even though I enjoyed this book the characters lacked a bit of depth. I hope the following books dig deeper into Coopers past and we learn more about him and what makes him tick. I also wonder if there will be some romance between him and his assistant Annabelle. This book takes the reader on a ride through the music and political scene of Nashville with secrets, lies & Scandals. Without a lot of suspects, it is a surprise once all the pieces fall together to solve this high-profile murder mystery.

Happy Reading!

Cozy Mystery, Fiction

Last Night at the Beach House by Claire Harlow

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Title: Last Night at the Beach House
Author: Claire Harlow
Series: Sparrow Haven Cozy Mystery #4
Genre: Cozy Myster
Location: Sparrow Haven
Main Character: Olivia
Other Characters: Detective O’Malley, Millie, Richard, Ethan, April, Nate, Janel, Rose, Karl
Pets: Olivia’s Golden Retriever Barkley & Skye, Richards Bird
Stars: 5

This 4th book in the Sparrow Haven Cozy Mystery series is just as enjoyable as the previous books.

.This episode features Olivia and Millie during a party at Richard Bennett’s Beach House. When Richard is discovered dead, Olivia is sucked into yet another murder mystery. Since practically everyone Richard knows, even his own sister, has a motive to want him dead, there are many potential suspects. Could Olivia be putting herself in danger as she and Detective O’Malley sift through clues of dishonesty, manipulation, and jealousy in order to identify the culprit

Olivia is a great protagonist. She is someone I could be friends with. I love the bond she has with Detective O’Malley and the way he calls her kiddo. It’s like he looks at her like a daughter. If you love a small-town Cozy mystery with a surprise ending, you are going to love this series. Read the books in order so you can come to love the characters as I do.

Happy Reading!

Cozy Mystery, Fiction

Murder between the Pages by Cassidy Harlow

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Title: Murder between the Pages
Author: Cassidy Harlow
Series: A Captivating Tea Shop Cozy Mystery #1
Genre: Cozy: Mystery
Location: Willow Haven, Indiana
Main Character: Emily
Other Characters: Jane, Susan Oliver, Lilly, Detective Carter, Adam, Lean, Casey
Pets: Sophie (Lilly’s Cat)
Stars: 5

This is the first book I have read by this author, but it won’t be the last. I really enjoyed this book and getting to know these characters.

Emily, the story’s antagonist, is interesting and multifaceted despite her love obsession with tea. Well since she is the owner of a tea shop, I suppose it is justified. Emily is an avid reader, so she is thrilled about the Writers Haven book festival, which takes place over the weekend. Oliver Blackwood, one of her favorite authors, will be the event’s keynote speaker, which excites her even more. The festivities don’t quite go as planned when the famous author turns up dead. Emily teams up with the new detective in town to try to find a killer. Emily begins to think that the author’s books have the answers to this murder.

A journey with lies, deceit, jealousy, and revenge culminate in a shocking revelation when the murderer is exposed. The reader will be intrigued and kept guessing till the very conclusion of this well-written novel.

Happy Reading!