Summer Stock

Summer Stock: The Good Chef Mysteries Book 3

Elsie Gray

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This novella follows chef and ex-detective Lily Good as she investigates the murder of Ivy Chernoff, the lead actress at the Brine Beach Theatre. Lily is a liaison for the Pine Grove police department and works closely with Detective Lance Philipps to find the killer. The plot line is solid and the book itself is a very fast read. Being a novella, there is not as much character development as in a full-length novel. That being said, it does not really distract from the story. There is a little language in this book —not a pro or con, just a heads up. If you are looking for a fast and easy whodunnit, this would be a book you would enjoy.

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

Murder, Relics and Rivalries

Murder, Relics and Rivalries: A Hattie and Moose Mystery Book 4

Greta Sinclair

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Harrie and Moose are at it again! When a valuable antique flute disappears from a church, Hattie is called to investigate. Along with Detective Bo and her animal sidekicks, Hattie is determined to not only find the relic, but return it to its rightful owners. I was gifted this book and let me tell you, it is a great addition to this series. Sinclair’s story is fast-paced and has many twists and turns that keeps the reader guessing until the very end. Though this is fictional, she adds some well researched facts to the story, along with a sprinkling of humor and a dash of romance. This is a great book and I recommend it to everyone who enjoys a wholesome mystery.

Eastern State Penitentiary

Eastern State Penitentiary: A GKP Most Haunted Places, Series 1, Book 5

Grant Kelly

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Eastern State penitentiary is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and was used as a prison from 1829 until 1971. Kelly discussed the penitentiary’s past and the claims that is haunted. It’s a quick, interesting listen for those who enjoy learning about history and paranormal phenomena. He reports on its most famous inmate and the supernatural aspects of different sites within the prison, such as Death Row and the infirmary. I think this is a good basic overview of the mystery of Eastern State and with the listen.

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

Paws of Justice

Paws of Justice: A Crystal Beach Magic Mystery Series, Book 11

Karen McSpade

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is the first book I have read in the Crystal Beach Magic Mystery series. I admit, it wasn’t exactly what I expected (more paranormal than I usually read), but I found it to be an interesting read. The book does refer to situations from previous books, but it does not distract from the story. McSpade includes quirky characters, mysterious murders and plenty of supernatural phenomena. There were twists and turns that will keep the reader engaged throughout the story. I would recommend this book to lovers of paranormal cozies, but suggest they start with the first book in the series to get the full experience.

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

Death at Aurora Point

Death at Aurora Point: A Tilly Lefleur Mystery, Book 2

Maisie Graves

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is the second book of the Tilly LeFleur series and it is a compelling continuation. Graves does a fine job of weaving a storyline that contains mystery and intrigue with a bit of humor sprinkled in. I like how she has developed a strong leading female character that is not perfect, but owns up to her mistakes. There are many twists and turns that keep the reader engages throughout the book. Graves also vividly describes the setting, making you feel as if you are seeing the Northern Lights along with the other characters. There was only one minor issue dealing with an incident that happened in Book 1 (no spoilers). I wish the author had given a little more background of the incident so readers who have not read book one would have a better grasp. That being said, this small detail did not take away from the overall story and I believe that cozy mystery lovers will really enjoy this book.

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

Murder, Moon Pies & Mobile Homes

Murder, Moon Pies & Murder: A Sunset Palms Trailer Park Mysteries, Book 1

Benny Bumster

⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was a cute, short read that contains a cozy mystery with some quirky characters, a trouble-finding dachshund and a little bit of romance. I love that it is set in Ocala, FL because I have some very fond memories of this southern city. The book has a lot going for it, but there were a few things that could be improved upon. I would’ve liked to see a bit more character development for Cassie Cooper. It would have been helpful to have more of her backstory. Also, the conclusion was somewhat anticlimactic as the crime was abruptly wrapped up with a vague explanation. I think that the author has a good foundation and look forward to see how he grows in his writing in the future.

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

Theatre of Secrets

Theatre of Secrets: A Quillhaven Magical Cozy Mystery

Tessa Silver

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Director Olivia Sweetwater comes to Quillhaven to head the latest production at the Silver Quill Theatre. As the play is coming together, the costume designer is murdered and it comes to light that Martha’s costumes were not only beautiful, but also magical. With the help of lighting director Max, sheriff Noah,  local witch Annie and her enchanted cats Leo and Luna, Olivia is determined to uncover the killer before opening night.

Theatre of Secrets is a wonderful addition to the Quillhaven series. Silver’s storytelling is enthralling and captures the reader’s attention. I love how she creates stories around new characters while utilizing characters from previous books. This book contains mystery, magic and a sweet love story that paranormal cozy mystery lovers will enjoy. I recommend not only this book, but the whole Quillhaven series. You won’t be disappointed!

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

A Zappy Little Christmas

A Zappy Little Christmas: Hometown Hardware Mysteries Book 3

Paula Charles

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Pine Bluff, Oregon is opening the holiday season with the lighting of the town’s Christmas tree and hardware store owner Dawna Carpenter is looking forward to a relaxing ride on the trolley with her daughter, April and neighbor, Smitty. However, Smitty spies a dead body in one of the Christmas displays and it’s up to Dawna and April to find the killer.

I enjoyed reading this story. I love the concept of a mother/daughter amateur sleuth team. The characters are well developed and the storyline is solid. The author kept me in suspense until the end. With all the twists and turns, I couldn’t figure out the killer. Charles is also able to give the story a warm, holiday feel despite the murder taking place. Even though this is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. I have not read the first two books, but I was able to follow the plot with no issues. All in all, I would recommend this book to other cozy mystery readers.

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

Murder on the Moonlight Express

Murder on the Moonlight Express: A Gripping Train Ride Whodunnit

Nell Piper

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2

Hazel Whitmore wins a trip on the Moonlight Express and is expecting to take a luxurious train trip with her best friend, Birdie and her cat, Mr. Darcy. Instead she finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery. Murder on the Moonlight Express seems to pay homage to Agatha Christie and her Murder on the Orient Express. At the beginning of the book, I was interested to see how this story was going to unfold. I liked the characters of Hazel and Birdie and enjoyed their banter. I am a fan of “locked room” cozies and with the story being set on a train, I was intrigued how this mystery would play out. However, about half way through, I was struggling with the plot. It seemed a bit convoluted and some of the red herrings didn’t make sense to me. Also, I felt the author relied heavily on similes and metaphors in her writing, which I felt slowed down the pace. If I could, I would give this book 3 1/2 stars. It has some strong points and readers who like their mysteries complex would most likely enjoy it.

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

Mocha, Masks and Murder

Mocha, Masks and Murder: An Amelia Clark Cozy Read

Kara Post

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Retired librarian Amelia Clark becomes embroiled in a murder mystery when she discovers the body of an antique dealer behind Brewed Awakening. Along with her best friend, Nora and her faithful companion, Duke, Amelia attempts to unravel this puzzle and find the killer before they can strike again.

This book was an interesting read with plenty of mystery, secrets and intrigue. Post’s main character is a strong, independent woman with an eye for detail and a dog with great instincts. The story is fast-paced and suspenseful, however, the plot becomes a little confusing in places and a few pieces of the puzzle seem a bit forced. Despite these minor flaws, I found the book entertaining and would recommend it to other readers.

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

Pumpkin Spice and Malice

Pumpkin Spice and Malice: A Willa Honeycutt Mystery

B. J. Cade

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What an entertaining read! Cade brings the reader along on a roller coaster ride of murder, red herrings and plenty of twists and turns. There are no shortages of suspects as the main character tries to clear her name when a judge of a pie contest drops dead after she takes a bite of Willa’s entry. I love how Willa uses  both evidence and instinct to help her determine the culprit. The author also infuses humor throughout the story in the banter between Aunt Sylvia and Gertie. Overall, I found this book to be a fast-paced, engaging read that I couldn’t put down! I recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading cozy mysteries.

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

Secrets in the Mist: Book 1

Secrets in the Mist Book 1: The Lochraven Romantic Mystery Series

Cait Byrne

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2

Isla MacLeod is a book restorer who has taken over the family business in Lochraven, Scotland. Life is going smoothly until real estate developer Finlay Fraser arrives in town with a plan to modernize the quaint village. At first, Isla is against any changes that Finlay proposes. But things change when there is a murder in Finlay’s yard and he is framed, even though he was with Isla at the time. As they work together to find the real killer, their feelings for each other begins to grow. Will they solve the mystery before one of them becomes the next victim?

Byrne weaves a story of mystery, betrayal and romance. Being set in Scotland, she uses Scottish words and phrases to bring realism to the setting. The plot was fast-paced with lots of twists and turns and a surprise ending that I was not expecting. While some aspects of the story felt a bit rough around the edges (such as a few timing inconsistencies and information that was presented somewhat awkwardly), I still found the story enjoyable overall. There are many positive elements that make this an engaging read.

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

Thonis-Heracleion

Thonis-Heracleion: A GKP Mystery Series 1, Book 12

Grant Kelly

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thonis-Heracleion is an ancient Egyptian port city that vanished over 1,000 years ago. It was rediscovered  in 2000 by divers in the Mediterranean Sea. Kelly tells a fascinating story of the city’s rise and fall. He discusses the importance of Thonis-Heracleion, the mysterious disappearance of the city and artifacts and treasures found when rediscovered. He gives the reader an overall picture of this captivating narrative. Readers of history, mystery and adventure will enjoy this account.

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

Dead Men Don’t Pick Apples

Dead Men Don’t Pick Apples: A Carolina Teal Cozy Mystery

C. C. Trace

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

As co-owner of the Blueberry Hill Inn, Carolina Teal is leading a group of guests on a hiking excursion when they stumble upon the body of Owen Longfellow, an unpleasant farmer from the local orchard. Carolina begins to investigate this mysterious death and discovers that there are several suspects. Will she be able to identify the killer before she becomes the next victim.

Trace has created another great story for the Carolina Teal series. There are many twists and turns that keep the reader engaged and guessing who committed the crime. I love the reoccurring characters and feel like I get to know more about them as the series unfolds. This book has suspense, humor and a bit of romance, making it a great book for cozy mystery lovers.

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

The Tamam Shud Case

The Tamam Shud Case: GKP Mystery Series 1, Book 10

Grant Kelly

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In 1948, a man was found dead on an Australian beach. Police could not identify the man as he had no identification on him. However, authorities did find a note on the victim that had the phrase Tamam Shud, which means “it is finished”. Who was this mysterious man and how did he die? In this audiobook, Kelly explores the mystery behind this unidentified person and theories of how he came to be there. Was he involved in espionage or possibly caught up in a deadly love triangle? As different theories are discussed, Kelly also explains how current technology is being used to try to solve this mystery. If you are looking for a quick overview of strange, unexplained mysteries, this book is for you.

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

The Voynich Manuscript

The Voynich Manuscript: GKP Mystery Series 1, Book 11

Grant Kelly

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This audiobook is an overview of an indecipherable manuscript that has been around for centuries. The author discusses the discovery of the manuscript and the mysteries surrounding it. I really like learning about different mysteries around the world and this audiobook introduces me to one I knew nothing about. I like how the book explores different theories about this phenomenon and also describes how modern technology is being used to crack the code. An enjoyable listen for people who enjoy unsolved mysteries around the world.

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

Murder at the Autumn Apple Festival

Murder at the Autumn Apple Festival: A Willow Cove Cozy Mystery Book 7

J.J. Joseph

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ally Fisher finds herself in the middle of a mystery when an unsavory DJ drops dead during the Autumn Apple Festival and all eyes are on Hank Pritchard, fiancé of Emma Dalton, Deputy Nate Dalton’s sister. Ally tries to wade through all of the possible suspects, but ends up with more questions than answers. Can she find the real killer before she becomes the next victim?

This book is a wild ride! There are plenty of viable suspects and the author kept me guessing until the end. I like the way that Joseph has developed his characters throughout the series. Ally and Deputy Nate can butt heads at times, but there’s a current of romance between the two. Ally’s mother Judith and her bridge club friends are quirky and bring humor to the story. And don’t leave out Theo, Ally’s Golden Doodle, who is cute, funny and fiercely loyal to his person. I think Joseph is a great storyteller and I’m excited to see what is in store for the future.

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

Abra-Ca-Deadly: Book 7

Bella Colby

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Skylar Blackwood is a witch trying to live a normal life in Tidewater. Her friends convince her to attend a magic show on her birthday. She expected to see illusions but that all changed when the magician’s assistant drops dead at the end of the show. Can Skye and her friends unravel all the clues to find the killer.

This was a great story that kept me engaged until the very last page. There were plenty of suspects, several twists and turns and a bit of romance. This was the first book I’ve read in this series and would like to go back and read the other books. My only (very minor) issue was being a little confused at the beginning of the book. Since I have not read any of the previous books, it took me a bit to figure out some of the background. That being said, it really didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story. I encourage paranormal cozy mystery lovers to check this out.

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

A Frostwood Christmas

A Frostwood Christmas Mystery 

J L Koontz

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Investigative reporter Grace Carrington inherits her grandmother’s house in Frostwood, Minnesota and decides to use this as a new start for her life. She takes a job as a journalist at the local paper but does not expect her first story to cover the disappearance of the town’s Santa Claus, Nick Kringle. As she digs into this mystery, she becomes closer to Deputy Jack Manning. She and Jack work together to locate Kringle and uncover Frostwood’s deepest secrets.

What a great Christmas cozy mystery. I love how Koontz describes the setting and develops the characters. You can feel the warmth between the townsfolk and the atmosphere puts the reader in the Christmas spirit. This book has mystery, romance and a twist at the end that I did not see coming. I think cozy mystery lovers will really enjoy this tale.

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

Harvest of Shadows and Dark Brews

Harvest of Shadows and Dark Brews: A Jenna McGregor Mystery Book 3

Willow Thorne

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In this Jenna McGregor mystery, Jenna’s best friend Lisa becomes enamored with a new commune that promotes spirituality and inner peace. However, Jenna feels that there is more to this group than aligning chakras and glowing produce. As Lisa becomes more entangled in “The Grove”, Jenna, her neighbor Mildred and Sheriff Joe race against time to uncover the true motive of the commune before they lose their friend forever. 

This is a marvelous story filled with excitement, intrigue, and humor that grabs the reader from the very beginning. The plot is easy to follow, and Thorne has done a wonderful job developing the characters. The camaraderie between them shines through beautifully. I have to admit—Mildred, the ex-spy neighbor, is my favorite! This is an entertaining and delightful read, and I highly recommend it to cozy mystery lovers.

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