Tag: Lori Roberts Herbst

Cozy Mystery, Fiction

Graven Images by Lori Roberts Herbst

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  • Title: Graven Images
  • Author: Lori Roberts Herbst
  • Series: Callie Cassidy Cozy Myster #6
  • Genre: Cozy Mystery
  • Takes Place:  Rock Creek Village, CO
  • Main Character: Callie Cassidy
  • Other Characters: Tonya, Butch, Maggie, Glenda Vivian, Sam, Cedric, Lydia, Monika, Frank, Raul, Mrs Finney, Lynn, Pinky, David, Conrad, Lila, Robert, Ken
  • Pets: Golden Retriever named Woody and Carl the Tabby Cat
  • Stars: 5

The author does not let readers down in this sixth installment of the Callie Cassidy series. I loved it from the first to the last page. it was interesting, intriguing and made me want to keep reading to see how this mystery would unfold.

Known for hopping from one hobby to another, Callie’s mother has discovered a new one: grave rubbing. Who knew there was such a hobby! As her mother heads to the cemetery for her first excursion into her new pastime, Callie agrees to accompany her to tak photos. Callie brings her tabby cat, Carl and her golden retriever, Woody along for the adventure. After she is satisfied that she has taken enough photos, Callie, along with Woody & Carl, chooses to stroll around the cemetery when she notices a ghostly apparition emerging from the trees. When examined closely, it was a woman wearing a long white dress and bleeding from a head wound. The woman claimed not to know who she was or how she got there, but Maggie, Callie’s mother, recognized her immediately as a woman who vanished without a trace forty years prior. It is at that moment that Woody bolts for the trees, and when Callie catches up with him, she finds him standing over a dead body by a recent grave. it is quickly determined that this dead body is a man who has been dating her best friend Tonya’s mother. What might have occurred! Was it the mystery woman in the white dress who killed him? Was he killed by Lydia, Tonya’s mother? Callie finds herself involved in a murder investigation once again along with the mystery of the woman with no memory. What is the mystery behind this woman in the white dress and where has she been for the past 40 years?

Apart from attempting to unravel the two mysteries, Callie is also attempting to win over her boyfriend Sam’s parents.

There are numerous suspects in this intriguing mystery, which keeps the reader wondering right up to the very end. Callie has been my favorite protagonist throughout the entire series. She is intelligent, a devoted friend, and perpetually gets mixed up in a murder investigation. The remaining characters in the series are all well-developed and three-dimensional. From the moment I picked up her first book, this author has been a favorite of mine. She writes about places so vividly in her books that I can almost feel myself there. Her mysteries will always have unexpected turns that keep the reader guessing until the perpetrator is identified. The Callie Cassidy Mystery series is a great choice if you enjoy cozy mysteries with lots of twists and turns leading to unexpected conclusions. Although these books can be read as a stand-alone, I suggest reading them in order to fully get to know the characters and develop the same kind of affection for them that I have.

I received this book for free as part of the author’s ARC team. This Review is my honest opinion

Happy Reading!

Cozy Mystery, Fiction

Suitable for Framing by Lori Roberts Herbst

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  • Title: Suitable for Framing
  • Series: Callie Cassidy Mystery #1
  • Author: Lori Roberts Herbst
  • Narrator: Lillian Baxter
  • Genre: Cozy Mystery
  • Setting: Rock Creek Village, CO
  • Main Character: Callie Cassidy
  • Other characters: Sam, Bestfriend Tonya, Parents Butch & Maggie Cassidy, Detective Raul Sanchez, Kimberly, Ms Finney
  • Pets: Golden Retriever named Woody & a Tabby cat named Carl
  • Stars: Book 5 Audio 4

This is the second time I have reviewed this book. The reason I am reviewing it again is that I just listened to the audio version. I really prefer reading to listening but I really wanted to try the audiobook. The narrator did well, but I struggled to imagine the setting and characters in the audio version. Though the narrator attempted to give each character a distinctive voice, I still found the audio difficult to follow. Being more of a visual learner, I comprehend easier by reading. Listening to the audio version made me want to read it again, so that is what I did. After finishing the audio version, I picked up my kindle to reread my favorite cozy mystery. I loved it just as much as the first time. Having first read it over a year ago, there were some details I had forgotten, so it was a nice refresher.

Callie Cassidy, a photojournalist, returns to her parents’ Rocky Mountain ski resort in Rock Creek Village to recover from a work-related tragedy. Her mom convinces her to take a photo gig at the Snowflake Swirl winter ball where she stumbles upon a dead body who just happens to be her nemesis from high school. So Callie finds herself in the middle of the the investigation, much to the dismay of the head detective in the case and her father, who is a retired chief of police.

Callie is someone I would love to have as best friend. She is smart, loyal and loves her dog, cat & wine so what could be better! She especially loves boxed wine which makes her more down to earth. All the characters in the book just seem to come alive. The author has a way of making you think you are there so I could picture the settings and each character. You will love Ms. Finney as her personality comes alive throughout the series. She also has a secret which was fun to read. I wish Rock Creek was a real place because I want to visit and stay at the Rocky Mountain Ski Resort owned by Callie’s parents. And who doesn’t love a book with pets!!

I love that Callie is smart and doesn’t want to believe the obvious suspect just may not be the doer. She does her own investigation to find a killer. The suspect list is growing, as it takes on a lot of twists and turns until the surprise ending you won’t see coming.

If you are looking for a great suspenseful cozy mystery that you can’t put down with a fantastic protagonist and other quirky characters in a small town, You will love The Callie Cassidy Mystery series. Start with this book first and you will definitely want to read the rest of the series. When I read this book, it leaves me wanting more!!

If you like to listen to books on your way to work or while cleaning etc, then pick up the audio version. Personally, I prefer to read the book. Whichever option you choose, you will not be disappointed.

“Home is where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in,”
— Robert Frost

Happy reading!

Cozy Mystery, Fiction

Negative Reaction by Lori Roberts Herbst

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  • Title: Negative Reaction
  • Author: Lori Roberts Herbst
  • Series: Callie Cassidy Mysteries #5
  • Genre: cozy mystery
  • Takes Place:  Rock Creek Village
  • Main Character: Callie, Sam, Braden , Banner, Monika
  • Other Characters: Desiree, Weston, Mrs Finney, My Purdy, Brian, Elyse, Trent, Ethan, Tonya, David, Raul, Lynn, Pamela,
  • Pets: Woody and Carl
  • Stars:   5

This is the 5th book in the Callie Cassidy Mystery series and I think it is my favorite. I received this book as an ARC and this is my honest review.

In this episode of the mystery series, we visit again with Callie, photographer/amateur sleuth, so you know there will be a mystery to solve and she will be right in middle of it.

The author really took us on a roller coaster ride with this book. It all starts with the long anticipated wedding of Tonya and David. Tonya, Callie’s best friend, is gorgeous in her gown and the groom is dashing as ever. Braden, one of the Ratliff twins, has his first job as a wedding photographer. He is nervous and excited but Callie has every confidence in him

Everything is going great until the twin’s (Braden & Banner) father, Brian Ratliff shows up with his current flavor of the month, Desiree. Brian appears to be drunk, he is obnoxious, stumbling and verbally abusive to everyone even his own sons. Callie has taken Braden & Banner under her wings and is sort of a surrogate mother to them so she doesn’t take too kindly to Brian being abusive towards them. Nobody likes Brian and they just want him to leave. Even his own sons don’t like him.

So when Brian ends up unresponsive and in the hospital from an apparent poisoning, the suspect list is long. When evidence shows up that points the finger at Braden, Callie teams up with a feisty new reporter, Monika to try to prove he didn’t poison their father. Callie sees something very disturbing, which gives us another possible suspect. Callie and Monika take the information to the cops and are convinced they know who did it but there just isn’t enough evidence and there is another twist to the story. She is convinced there has to be another explanation. But what could the explanation be?

This book takes you on a lot of twist and turns before reaching the climax. The only motive seems to be that no one liked Brian so that means the cast of suspects is long. I was totally involved in this story from beginning to end. This author has a way with words and just hooking you into her stories. It is definitely a book that you can’t put down. I have been a fan of this author since her very first book and this book did not disappoint.

Even with a dad in a coma and murder victim mystery, we get to visit with Callie’s parent’s at the Knotty Pine Lodge that they own. Then there is Callie’s boyfriend, Sam and her Golden Retriever, Woody & tabby cat Carl. There is even some comic relief.

If you love a whodunit with a lot of twists and turns & a little bit of humor thrown in, then you will definitely love this book.

Happy Reading

Cozy Mystery, Fiction

Frozen in Motion by Lori Roberts Herbst

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  • Title: Frozen in Motion
  • Author: Lori Roberts Herbst
  • Series: Callie Cassidy Mysteries #3
  • Genre: Cozy Mystery
  • Takes Place: Rock Creek Village, CO
  • Main Character: Callie Cassidy
  • Other characters: boyfriend Sam, Bestfriend Tonya, Parents Butch & Maggie Cassidy, Detective Raul Sanchez, Ms Finney
  • Pets: Golden Retriever named Woody and a tabby cat named Carl
  • Stars: 5

Review:

Another great read by Lori Roberts Herbst and the 3rd book in the Callie Cassidy Mystery.

I really enjoyed this book. I tend to get lost in it and lose track of time.

Callie is a successful journalist/photographer turned photo gallery owner of Sundance Studio. Her dad calls her Sundance so that name is fitting.

Callie once again finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery. She kinda just fell into this or should I say it fell on top of her, literally. She went to the local ice rink to do a photo shoot with the ice hockey team when a body just fell on top of her, injuring Callie. The body that fell on her happened to be dead. So was he pushed? Did he fall or jump? or was he already dead and thrown over the railing? You will have to read the book to find out.

What makes this complicated is the dead man, Jeffrey just happens to be the ex husband of Renata. Renata is Callie’s friend and the sister of the police detective Raul Sanchez. Renata and Jeffery and a huge confrontation earlier outside Sundance studio which the police dective ended up having to get involved.

Of course Renata becomes the prime suspect. Jeffery is arrogant and self absorbed so he is very unliked, The cast of suspects could be just about anyone. Callie is determined to prove her friend didn’t commit this crime. But if not Renata then who?

This book takes you on some twists and turns along the way to find a killer.

Of course we also see Callie’s golden retriever Wood and her tabby cat Carl along with her boyfriend, Sam, her best friend Tanya and the other quirky characters who live in Rock Creek Village, including Ms Finney.

This is a great read and I highly recommend all the books in the Callie Cassidy Mystery series. Can’t wait for the next one.

Cozy Mystery, Fiction

Photo Finished by Lori Roberts Herbst

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  • Title Photo Finished
  • Author Lori Roberts Herbst
  • Series: Callie Cassidy Mystery #4
  • Genre: Cozy Mystery
  • Takes Place: Moonglow Dude Ranch in Maverick, Colorado
  • Main Character: Callie Cassidy
  • Other characters: boyfriend Sam, Bestfriend Tonya, Parents Butch & Maggie Cassidy, Detective Raul Sanchez, Ms Finney
  • Pets: Golden Retriever named Woody and a tabby cat named Carl
  • Stars: 4

Review:

This is book for of the Callie Cassidy Mysteries.

I have read all of Lori Roberts Herbst books and she has become one of my very favorite authors. I find her books engaging and interesting. A “can’t put down” read!!

The only reason I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 is because their were snakes in it and I am deathly afraid of them. I can’t even look at pictures in a book or talk about them. Writing the word even freaked me out. I can’t read about them at all.
I did read this book and would skip over a paragraph when I read that word. That is my fear, not because The book wasn’t good. Luckily it wasn’t all through the book but it was mentioned several times and when I would see the word, I would skip that paragraph.

That being said I did finish the book and liked it except for those parts.

If you have liked the other books in the Callie Cassidy Mystery Series, you will enjoy this on.

This book takes us to Moonglow Dude Ranch in Maverick, Colorado for Callie’s best friend, Tanya’s, bachelorette party.
Their friend, Summer’s, Aunt and Uncle own Moonglow Dude Ranch. They are having trouble getting it opened because of nearby neighbors objecting to it. They even have the mayor involved to keep it from opening.

The bachelorette party seems to be going good until Tanya’s mother, Lydia shows up. Tanya and Lydia evidently don’t have a good relationship. I guess we could say that Lydia is a bit ‘over the top”..
Then to top everything off, there is a murder in the stable.

Maverick has an inept police department so, of course, Callie and her cop friend Lynn from Rock Creek need to investigate.

So who among the cast of suspects could have committed this murder!!

Along the way we meet a sexy ranch hand, Tanya’s mother, the tour guide, kitchen staff, the aunt and uncle (owners of the ranch), the billionaire neighbors who are protesting the dude ranch, staff, the guests at the bachelorette party and we even meet a psychic.

Read the book to see who the murderer is and all the drama leading up the final reveal.

Cozy Mystery, Fiction

Double Exposure by Lori Roberts Herbst

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  • Title: Double Exposure
  • Author: Lori Roberts Herbsst
  • Series: Callie Cassidy Mystery #2
  • Genre: Cozy Mystery
  • Location: Rock Creek Village, CO
  • Main Character: Callie Cassidy
  • Other characters: boyfriend Sam, Bestfriend Tonya, Parents Butch & Maggie Cassidy, Detective Raul Sanchez, Ms Finney
  • Stars: 5

Review:

This is Book 2 in the Callie Cassidy Mystery series by Lori Roberts Herbst,

I enjoyed this book just much as I did the first one.


We have Callie again in the book, who now owns her own photography studio called Sundance Studio. This is fitting since her dad calls her Sundance. Callie has also rekindled a romance with her high school sweetheart. who has a daughter, Elyse.

Callie’s coworkers from her old job are coming to town for a retreat and will be staying at her parents ski lodge. Everything was going great until she finds her old rival, Bree, dead In her darkroom.


The detective is investigating the murder but Callie just can’t help investigating it herself.
Lori takes us through some twists and turns to keep us guessing until the killer is revealed.

This is a must read book.

Cozy Mystery, Fiction

Suitable for Framing by Lori Roberts Herbst

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  • Title: Suitable for Framing
  • Series: Callie Cassidy Mystery #1
  • Author: Lori Roberts Herbst
  • Genre: Cozy Mystery
  • Setting: Rock Creek Village, CO
  • Main Character: Callie Cassidy
  • Other characters: Sam, Bestfriend Tonya, Parents Butch & Maggie Cassidy, Detective Raul Sanchez, Kimberly, Ms Finney
  • Pets: Golden Retriever named Woody & cat named Carl
  • Star Rating: 5

Review:

This was actually the first Cozy Mystery I read. I didn’t even know about this Genre. I had read plenty of mysteries but had never heard any of them called Cozy. I fell in love with this genre after reading Lori Roberts Herbst books

Lori is a fairly new author and I am so glad I found her.

This is the first book in her series Callie Cassidy Mystery. The main Character, Callie is a photo journalist who faced a professional crises. Her mom convinces her to come back home to Rock Creek Village, CO to take pictures at the Snowflake Swirl Winter Ball. She runs into her ex boyfriend, Sam, and finds out that her old high school nemesis, Victoria, will be her boss while she is there. She goes to the office to speak with Victoria only to find she has been killed.

Now Callie finds her self in the middle of a murder investigation with a lot of suspects, including Sam. You will meet a lot of quirky characters along the way including her best friend, Tanya and Mysterious Ms Finney who is a guest at Callie’s parents Rocky Mountain Ski Resort. Of course their are pets so you will meet Callie’s golden retriever Woody and her adopted cat Carl.

You are going to love Callie and the other quirky characters in this book. Lori has done a great job at developing each character and keeping it interesting. It is definitly a ‘can’t put down’ read.