Tag: Cozy Mystery

Cozy Mystery, Fiction

A Map of Murder by Penny Brooke

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Title: A Map of Murder
Author: Penny Brooke
Series: Seabreeze Bookshop Cozy Mystery series #6
Location: Somerset Harbor
Main Character: Rue
Other Characters: Eloise, Greta, Andy, Dennis, Melanie
Pets: Rue’s dog Gatsby and her cats Ollie & Beasley.
Rating: 4

A Map of Murder is a great addition to the Seabreeze Bookshop series. Set in the quaint town of Somerset Harbor, the story revolves around Rue Collier, who partners with the local library to organize a literary scavenger hunt during the Merchants Guild Spring Fling. However, the event takes an unexpeted turn when a body is discovered at the antique shop, and Rue finds herself entangled in a murder investigation.

I really enjoyed the small-town atmosphere of this book and the characters are well developed and interesting. with a plot that keeps you guessing. Rue is a great protaganist and is deteremined to discover the truth behind her friend’s murder. The mystery has enough twists to keep the reader engaged.

Some readers might find the pacing a bit slow in the beginning, and a few secondary characters could have been more developed. Despite these small issues, A Map of Murder is a thoroughly enjoyable read and will appeal to cozy mystery fans.

Overall, this book has an engaging plot with a charming setting, and well-crafted mystery. If you’re looking for a cozy read with a touch of intrigue, this book is definitely worth picking up,

Happy Reading!

Cozy Mystery, Fiction

Trouble in the Theater by Kathi Dailey

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Book Title: Trouble in the Theater
Author: Kathy Dailey
Series: The Inn at Holiday Bay #29
Location: Holiday Bay, Maine
Main Character: Abby Sullivan
Other Characters: Georgia, Lacy, Baily, Haven, Colt, Alex, Hollin, Lonnie
Pets: Dogs Molly & Ramos along with Cat Rufus
Stars: 5

Trouble in the Theater by Kathi Daley is the 29th installment in the heartwarming Inn at Holiday Bay series. This series follows author Abby Sullivan, who, after a personal tragedy, moves across the country from San Francisco to Holiday Bay, Maine. She buys a large seaside mansion, sight unseen, and transforms it into a successful inn, finding a new community she fell in love with. Besides managing the inn, she also assists Colt, her detective boyfriend, in solving crimes within the community.

In this episode, Abby finds herself a bit overwhelmed as she helps her friend Lacy with a Halloween pageant, along with assisting her best friend Georgia with wedding plans, and ensuring Bailey has everything she needs for her upcoming baby. To top it all off, the discovery of a dead body in the local theater adds to the drama. This mystery will lead the reader through several twists, turns, and surprises to uncover the killer.

Kathy Daley’s writing is engaging, as she creates a charming setting with well-developed, interesting & compassionate characters. The story is filled with warmth, humor, and a touch of suspense, making it a delightful read for fans of cozy mysteries. This story makes me wish I could pack up and move to Holiday Bay.

If you enjoy heartwarming stories with a mix of mystery and community spirit, you will love this series.

Happy Reading!

Cozy Mystery, Fiction

Lesson Plan for Murder by Lori Robbins

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Author: Lori Robbins
Title: Lesson Plan for Murder
Series: Master Class #1
Location: Valerian Hills
Main Character: Liz Hopewell 
Other Characters: Marcia Deaver. Mr. Pescarelli, Mrs. Donnatella, George, Caroline, Timmy, Bill, Emily, Susan, Detective Brown, Detective Harriman, Ashlee, Rebecca
Starts: 4

Lori Roberts’ Lesson Plan for Murder is a cozy mystery that combines high school drama with the resolve of an amateur detective determined to solve a murder.

The protagonist, English teach Liz Hopewell, finds herself entangled in a murder investigation when she discovers one of her colleagues dead under mysterious circumstances. With her love of solving puzzles, she dives right into the investigation juggling her teaching responsibilities and her sleuthing skills. when two more colleagues are poisoned. Will the deceased woman’s lesson plans point Liz toward the murderer, putting her own safety at risk?

Liz is a likable and relatable character, with just enough imperfections to makes her  appear genuine. Liz’s knack for literary references and sharp humor make her a relatable and entertaining lead. I found it harder to relate to the supporting cast, making it difficult for me to connect with them. Some characters felt more like caricatures than fully developed individuals, which detracted slightly from the story’s emotional depth. The pacing feels uneven at times, with a slow start that picks up midway but occasionally gets bogged down by unnecessary side plots.

Despite these minor flaws, Lesson Plan for Murder is an enjoyable choice for cozy mystery fans who appreciate a clever, snarky heroine and a well-crafted, albeit somewhat predictable, mystery.

Happy Reading!

Cozy Mystery, Fiction

A New Place, Another Murder by Christa Nardi

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Title: Another Place, Another Murder
Author: Christa Nardi
Series: A Sheridan Hendley Mystery #1
Main Charaters: Sheridan, Brett, Maddie
Other Characters: Kim, Alex, Chief Peabody, Luke, Caleb
Pets: Charlie & Bella
Ratings: 4

This is the first book in the Sheridan Hendley Mystery series and my first book by this author. It wasn’t until I was halfway through that I realized it was actually a spin-off of another series called Cold Creek College. I would have read that one first if I had known this before I began it.

Sheridan is newly married to Brett, and they have moved into their new home in a new town for Sheridan. While Sheridan is settling in and adjusting to her new house, her new stepdaughter informs her that her friend Alex has been charged with stealing money from the school office. Maddie is convinced he is innocent. The plot gets more complicated when it is discovered that Maddie also has money envelopes that she is unable to explain. Then when someone is murdered, Alex is the first that is suspected.

Sheridan is determined to Madie & Alex. . This book explores the accusations of drug usage, theft, and cover-up against middle school students.

This book was enjoyable. Perhaps as a result of not having read Cold Creek College, I did feel somewhat disconnected from the characters. Before I finish this series, I might go read the prequel. I felt like I needed a playbook to keep all the characters straight because there were so many of them. I didn’t think the finale was very shocking, despite the fact that it was a decent story about parents dealing with their daughter and her friend’s criminal accusations. I was hoping for a bigger twist. Aside from this, I enjoyed reading it, and after I finish the prequel, I plan to continue with the series.

If you have read this series or you do read it, please let me know what you think in the comments.

Happy Reading!

Cozy Mystery, Fiction

Wine Red Wrath by Emily Oberton

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Title: Wine Red Wrath
Author: Emily Oberton
Series: Hadley Home Design Cozy Mystery #5
Main Characters: Hadley, Detective Dennis Appley
Other Characters: Madame Balleroy, Zelia Belleroy, Seth, Jarod, Camille, Mitzy, Hal, Natasha, Erin, Chloe, Kraig, Eileen. Aunt Deb, Roy, Michael
Location: Darlington HIlls
Pets: Hadley’s Cat Razzy
Stars: 5

This was another great book in the Hadley Home Design series. Hadley is the story’s main character. She is a wonderful friend and very likeable. She is not, however, a cook. She has everyone over for Thanksgiving dinner but, Salmonella is something she didn’t anticipate serving for the Thanksgiving feast. Yep, you guessed it, everyone got sick after Thanksgiving dinner.

Because of Hadley’s lack of culinary skills, Aunt Deb enrolls in cooking school. Even though Hadley isn’t excited about cooking school, she still agrees to go. However, she wasn’t prepared for the curriculum to include a dead corpse. The investigation of this mystery involves a number of suspects with many twists. The plot gets more complicated when someone else ends up dead.

The detective in charge of this case has a mystery of his own. Due to another case he is working on, he has received threatening letters. Since his young niece will be staying with him for a bit, he decides he needs to move out of his house temporarily. Hadley extends an invitation to him and his niece to stay at Ladyvale Manor, which she inherited following the murder of its owner.

There are some side stories in addition to two murders. Who wrote the threatening letter to Detective Appley? Is the former owner still haunting Ladyvale Manor? Could there be a romance in Hadley’s future? This book has several components, including a stalker, a haunted mansion, two murders, and a developing relationship.

This series is a lot of fun. Every character is compelling and well-developed. I’m eager to see more of the series to witness Hadley’s romantic developments and the other crimes she will be solving.

If you enjoy fantastic cozy mysteries with unexpected twists, slow-burning romances, and endearing characters, you will love this series. Even though you can read this book as a standalone, I recommend reading them in order so you can really get to know the characters.

I received this book as part of the ARC team and this review is my honest opinion.

Happy Reading!

Cozy Mystery, Fiction

A Case for the Winemaker by Candace Havens

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Title: A Case for the Winemaker
Author:Candace Havens
Series: Ainsley McGregor #1
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Location: Sweet River, Texas
Main Character: Ainsley McGregor
Other Characters: Greg, Shannon, Michael, Jake, Danny, Mrs Whedon, Rick, Kane, Helen, Irma
Pets: Ainsley’s Great Dane George (Clooney)
Stars: 5

This is the first book I have read by this author. but it won’t be the last.

As a proganist, Ainsley is someone I could be friends with. She is kind, devoted, humorous, and independent. George Clooney, her dog, is a fantastic supporting character in this book.
Ainsley McGregor left Chicago to get away from a bad situation that happened. She Needed a fresh start so, she moved to Sweet River, TX where her brother is the sheriff. She is getting ready to open her new business, Bless Your Art, an art shop where independent vendors set up booths to sell their wares. It’s opening day and everyone is so excited and working hard to get their booths ready. Everything is going great, that is until Ainsley takes her dog for a walk and he stumbles upon a dead body in the park. It just so happens that her best friend’s fiancé was seen arguing with the deceased earlier, so he becomes the prime suspect. Ainsley is convinced he couldn’t have committed such a heinous crime, and she is determined to prove it. Could this investigation put Ainsley in jeapardy?

This was a fun and enjoyable read. The characters are interesting and quirky. The author did a fantastic job of confusing the reader by including a number of suspects in the mix in order to hide the true murderer. Together with George the Great Dane, Ainsley and the other eccentric characters will inevitably win your heart. Wine and dogs make the ideal pairing for a captivating mystery. I am already so invested in the characters that I will continue to read the series to see what is next in Sweet River.

Happy Reading!

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!

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!