Dancing With Murder

Dancing With Murder: A Delightful Music Row Cozy Murder Mystery (A Hattie and Moose Cozy Mystery)

Greta Sinclair

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

PI Hattie Leiper is hired by Caleb Ransom to clear his name when he is accused of embezzlement, but when the accuser is found murdered, Caleb become the prime suspect. With the help of  Detective Bo Becket, Hattie must find the real killer and the shocking reason behind his death.

This is the third book I have read in the Hattie and Moose Cozy Mystery series and I can honestly say that I feel the stories just keep getting better. I love how Sinclair has developed the main characters, Hattie and Bo. Not only do they work well together solving mysteries, but the slow burn of their relationship makes the reader root for them. The storyline is fast-paced and engaging. I finished it in less than a day…I didn’t want to put it down! I highly recommend this book to cozy mystery lovers.

*I was gifted this book and all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The Dyatlov Pass Incident

The Dyatlov Pass Incident: A GKP Mystery Series 1, Book 9

Grant Kelly

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In 1959, nine hikers began a trip in the Ural Mountains. They all succumbed to mysterious circumstances that, to this day, still remain a mystery. Kelly gives an overview of the discovery of the hikers, their mysterious injuries and multiple theories about their demise. Could their death be related to an avalanche? Possibly military involvement? An extraterrestrial event? There are many questions but no answers. This audiobook is a fast listen about the basics of this case.

*I was gifted this audiobook and all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The Mystery of Overtoun Bridge

The Mystery of Overtoun Bridge: A GKP Mystery Series 1, Book 8

Grant Kelly

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Kelly produces another eerie audiobook, this time about a bridge in Scotland where many dogs have leapt to their deaths for no apparent reason. The author discusses different theories for this phenomenon, from scientific to paranormal. I’ve never heard of this mystery before, so I was curious about this and the audiobook gave me a quick overview of the story. I would recommend this to people who like mysterious places with a hint of supernatural.

*I was gifted this audiobook and all opinions expressed in my review are my own.

Vendors, Villains and a Very Good Dog

Vendors, Villains and a Very Good Dog: A Totally Bingeable Cozy Crime Mystery

Poppy McQuay

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

McQuay’s Mallory Harper is a corporate manager who is in charge of the Willow Creek Spring Festival. She thinks that her biggest problem would be handling vendors’ complaints. But when one of the vendors mysteriously vanishes, Mallory finds herself in the middle of this conundrum. The author does a nice job of developing a fast-paced storyline with engaging characters, twists and turns and humor throughout. If you are looking for a clean, lighthearted cozy, this book fits the bill!

*I received this book as a gift and all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The Harvest Moon Homicide

The Harvest Moon Homicide: A Willow Creek Cozy Mystery Book 3

Jenni Marie

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2

Author Jenni Marie produces a complex storyline involving murder and conspiracy. Her main character, Cynthia Harper becomes embroiled in a mystery when she finds a dead body in a pumpkin patch during Willow Creek’s annual Harvest Festival. There are plenty of twists and turns in this story that will keep the reader engaged, though it can get a bit bogged down in spots. I found that I struggled a bit at the beginning of the book. As a reader that has not read the whole series, I was a little lost and felt the author needed to give more background to help a new reader understand the characters and setting better. I do like the slow burning romance between Cynthia and Evan and enjoy the friendships she is building in Willow Creek. Overall, it is an interesting read and I think readers who enjoy small town collusion will find this book appealing.

*I was gifted this book and all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Raiders of the Lost Hex

Raiders of the Lost Hex: Crescent Moon Mysteries Book 7

Tara Lush

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a fun listen! I received this audiobook as a gift. It is not my usual genre, but I thought I’d give it a shot. I’m so glad that I did. I enjoyed the plot line and eagerly listened as the story came to its peak. It had humor, suspense and romance, along with fun characters. I also was entertained by the narrator who used different voices to distinguish between characters. All in all, it was an engaging story and I think that other readers would enjoy this book.

Coffee We Spill

Coffee We Spill: Watson Twins Mini Mystery Book 3

Chelsea Michelle

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This Christian cozy mystery begins with the disappearance of Zach, a coffee truck owner, who is a direct competitor of Michelle. When Zach’s blood and shoe are found at the back door of Michelle’s Coffee Springs, she immediately becomes the prime suspect. Michelle, her twin sister Chelsea and their loved ones work together to clear Michelle’s name. The story was a a quick read and was told from both twins’ point of view. Sometimes, I had trouble remembering whose POV I was reading, but it didn’t really deter from the story. I enjoyed the storyline and had fun getting to know all the characters. I think people who read Christian cozies will enjoy this book.

*I was gifted this book and all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Mafioso in Maplewood

Mafioso in Maplewood: A Clementine Harper Cozy Mystery Book 3

Lorna St. James

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Retired teacher and innkeeper Clementine Harper becomes involved in a mob-related mystery when an ex-cop disappears from her inn. With the help of her best friend Mabel, retired detective Finn and her beloved cat Evie, Clem attempts to unravel the puzzle before the mafia takes over Maplewood.

St. James delivers a complex but entertaining story that has many twists and turns to keep the readers on their toes. The ending has an unexpected twist that took me by surprise. I think the author does a nice job of developing the main characters and describing the setting. The storyline was a bit intricate and could be a bit confusing at times, but I felt the author tied up the loose threads at the end. I think that mystery readers will enjoy this book.

*I was gifted a copy of this book and all opinions expressed in my review are my own.

Murder Under the Festival Lights

Murder Under the Festival Lights: An Amelia Clark Cozy Mystery

Kara Post

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2

Amelia Clark moved back to Maple Shores when her Aunt Eleanor passed away. Instead of enjoying a quiet retirement, Amelia is pulled into a mystery when lawyer Stanley Prescott is found dead at the Fall Festival. Her Aunt Eleanor had left behind evidence that Prescott was complicit in some shady local land deals. As Amelia tries to pull everything together, she becomes a target. Can she solve this mystery before she becomes the next victim?

Post constructs an interesting tale of conspiracy and intrigue. The story has several twists and turns and the ending is a surprise. I would have liked to have see the characters developed a bit more. Also, even though the ending was unexpected, it seemed that it was rushed. Other than that, I felt this book has a good premise. Honestly, if I could, I would give it 3.5 stars. It has a few flaws, but overall, has a lot going for it.

*I was given this book as a gift and all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The Killer Edition

The Killer Edition: A Sherlock Paws Cozy Mystery

Kit Sterling

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

While Molly is working on cataloging Felicia Fairchild’s rare book collection, she didn’t expect to find a dead body hidden behind a wall. It turns out to be Felicia’s brother, Alton Merriweather, an unlikable man who has taken over Felecia’s holdings while she is abroad. As Molly and her terrier, Sherlock begin snooping around, they find several suspicious people who have a motive. Could it be the niece, who was cut off by Alton? Or the long-time housekeeper that Alton fired? Maybe the groundskeeper, who was degraded by him? Molly has her work cut out for her in this mystery.

I really enjoy reading Sterling’s Sherlock Paws series. The plot line is full of surprises, the characters are well developed and I love Sherlock’s antics. I like the humor that she weaves seamlessly into the story. Also, the twist at the end of the story was quite unexpected. All in all, this was a great read and cozy mystery lovers will enjoy this adventure.

*I received this book as a gift and all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Murder and the Wishing Well

Murder and the Wishing Well: A Willow Cove Cozy Mystery

J. J. Joseph

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

While preparing to host  a wedding at her venue, Ally Fisher notices that the florist, Lyra seems to be unsettled. Chalking it up to wedding day stress, Ally doesn’t think much about it until later when Lyra is found dead in the wishing well. Set on finding the truth, Ally begins to investigate and finds herself tangled up in a web of danger and deceit. Will she solve the mystery or become the next victim?

Joseph constructs a compelling mystery with twists and turns and a surprise ending. This book had me from page one. There is humor, intrigue, and a little bit of romance. I enjoyed the plot and the characters and think other cozy mystery lovers will too! I look forward to reading more about Ally, Nate and Theo.

*I received this book as a gift and all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Body in the Bandroom

Body in the Bandroom: An Adri Foster Cozy Mystery-Book 2

Etta True

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Band director Adri Foster is preparing for her final concert and subsequent retirement when she comes upon the body of Assistant Principal Winslow Reed in her bandroom. At first, it is believed that the death was caused by natural causes, but the evidence points to poisoning. Reed was quite unpopular as a teacher, coach and administrator, so there are no shortage of suspects. Adri is determined to uncover the killer, even if it is someone close to her. 

I really related to this book because I am a recent retiree after teaching for 34 years and much of the educational part of the story is pretty authentic. True took time to develop the characters, to the point that the reader feels like they know them. This book seems to be a bit different from other cozies I’ve read because the tone seems very calm and collected. There are some twists and turns, but the storytelling stays level throughout and I appreciate the way it flows. Overall, I think this was a great read and think other cozy readers will enjoy it.

*I received this book as a gift and all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The Ghost Ship

The Ghost Ship: GKP Mystery Series 1-Book 7

Grant Kelly

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

When the ship “The Mary Celeste” was found abandoned and floating in the Atlantic Ocean in 1872, theories spawned about what had happened on that ghost ship. Was there a mutiny? Did pirates attack the ship? Grant Kelly delves into the mystery of the Mary Celeste, its sinister past and the different theories that surround this puzzle. I actually had read a book about the Mary Celeste as a teen and was excited to revisit this enigma. Kelly does a good job a presenting the information in a concise manner. Good listen for those who like unsolved mysteries of the ocean.

The Shugborough Inscription

The Shugborough Inscription: GKP Mystery Series 1-Book 4

Grant Kelly

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The fourth audiobook in this series, Grant Kelly introduces the mystery of the Shugborough Inscription, a cryptic puzzle that has stumped people for over 250 years. I had never heard about this before, so I enjoyed learning the history of the monument and the theories that have been developed. Could it be something as simple as a monument dedication or perhaps it’s the answer to finding the Holy Grail. This audiobook would appeal to those who enjoy history and puzzle solving.

Beach Brawl

Beach Brawl: A Quilting Cozy Mystery

Kathryn Mikel

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A quilting guild goes to the beach for a quilting retreat for what they thought would be a relaxing time. However, they were not expecting a murder to interrupt their getaway. The friends (Cara, Bean, Trudy, Haze and Marnie) all become suspect as they were the last people known to see the victim alive and other than Cara, each of them have a motive. Can Cara prove her friends’ innocence or is there really a murderer among them?

This book is a quick read that has an interesting plot. The characters are not as well developed as they probably would be in a longer book, but the author gives a nice description of each quilter at the end of the book. I would have liked to have seen the description at the beginning of the book to give the reader a chance to get to know each character. The plot line was quite interesting and I was surprised at the ending twist. Overall, this is a good read for anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries.

*I received this book as a gift and all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Murder at the B & B

Murder at the B & B: A Maplewood Bay Cozy Mystery

Kaylynn Smith

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 

When Blakey Monroe arrived in Maplewood Bay to take over her inherited B & B, she was not expecting a full house, major repairs and a dead body at breakfast. Undeterred, Blakely teams up with her neighbor, Bobby, to find the killer and bring peace back to Maplewood Bay. 

The author used the point of view of both Blakely and Bobby to tell this story. I thought this was clever and made it interesting to hear from both characters. When I started this book, I was engaged with the characters and premise, but towards the end, some issues popped up that affected my enjoyment of the story. It seemed to me that the culprit came out of nowhere and the reason behind the murder was a little confusing. Also, the wrap up at the end of the book seemed to be a bit redundant. All that being said, I do think this author shows a lot of promise and I look forward to watching her grow as a writer.

*I received this book as a gift and all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The Polaroid Murder

The Polaroid Murder: A page-turning and suspenseful small-town culinary cozy mystery

Vivian Keys

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Kelsey Woods moves back to Carlyle Cove to help her Aunt Clara in her cafe. While volunteering, she meets a 10 year old boy named Barry and his circumstances reminds her of her own childhood. While helping Barry locate his mother, she becomes involved with a mystery from the past that is related to Barry’s mother. Along with her friend Elinor (a retired PI), Kelsey is determined to solve the mystery and reunite Barry with his mother.

This book had two plot lines that were intertwined: reuniting Barry and his mother, Ruthie and the 1988 disappearance of Ruthie’s friend, Gina. The first part of the story focuses more on Kelsey fostering Barry, while the mysterious disappearance develops more slowly. I think this worked well for this story as it gives the reader a chance to bond with the characters and in turn, become invested in the mystery. While the culprit becomes clear relatively early on, it doesn’t take away from the enjoyment. The real draw is discovering the “how” and “why”. Definitely a good cozy read!

*I received this book as a gift and all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Act Like You’re Murdered

Act Like You’re Murdered: A Sammy Brooks Cozy Mystery Series

Daisy Belle

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

When actress Toria Bennett is found dead in her trailer on her movie set, Sammy Brooks feels compelled to investigate when her best friend, Emily, becomes the prime suspect. Due to Toria’s abrasive behavior, the suspect list is long. Sammy and her friend Jax search for evidence to clear Emily. Will they be able to solve this murder and free Emily?

Belle has created a fast-paced and entertaining story that captures the readers attention. There is humor, quirky characters and a hint of romance. I was not expecting the surprising twist at the end! This was such a fun read and I feel cozy mystery readers will really enjoy this book!

*I was given this book as a gift and all opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.

Nightblooms and a Burial

Nightblooms and a Burial: A Poppy James Cozy Mystery

Gemma Harper

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Poppy James becomes involved in a Willowbrook mystery she finds her florist friend Ivy slumped on the floor of her shop. Following Ivy’s journal and clues, Poppy is determined to finish Ivy’s journey and discover the secrets that the town’s garden holds.

This book was not what I expected. It started out as a serious-minded cozy mystery when Ivy mysteriously collapses. However, as the story moves on, it delves into paranormal/fantasy as Poppy investigates. Honestly, this book was not my cup of tea. However, I feel that the story was well written and readers of this type of book would enjoy Harper’s tale. 

*This book was gifted to me and all opinions expressed in this review are my own. 

Pride & Prejudice & Potions-Lizzy’s Story

Laura Drake

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Journalist Lizzie Bennet moved back to Austen Heights when her dad became sick. Lizzy and her sisters are half-witch and half-fae, residents of the town tend to look down on them.  When her mom becomes a suspect in a murder case, Lizzy is determined to clear her name. Unfortunately for her, this means that she has to work with Darcy, a complicated fae who keeps himself and his magic closed off to the world. Will Lizzy be able to solve the case and get her story before the killer strikes again?

Drake combines cozy mystery, romance and fantasy to weave a story that grabs the reader’s attention from  page one. I enjoyed the character development and the plot twists throughout the book. There is great humor and banter between the main characters and their disdain towards one another slowly dissipates as they begin to know each other. I found this to be an intriguing read and think other readers would enjoy this book.

*I was gifted this book and all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Fiddling With Murder

Fiddling With Murder: A Music Row Cozy Crime Mystery

Greta Sinclair

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

When a fiddle belonging to a missing bluegrass singer ends up on PI Hattie Leiper’s doorstep, she becomes involved in the cold case. Along with Detective Bo Beckett and her assortment of pets, Hattie is determined to solve the mystery of what happened to Charity Pecksniff.

Sinclair composes a delightful cozy full of mystery, humor and sass. I love the way she has developed her main characters and the slow, simmering romance between Hattie and Bo is both sweet and flirty. This book is an easy and fun read and I think other cozy mystery readers will love it!