Write Way To Die

Write Way To Die: Dead in Durango 1

Nikki Haverstock

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In the first book of this series, Jess moves to Durango to help her great aunt recover from surgery. She decides to join a local writers group that is hosting a writing conference, featuring popular author Cassie Fox. When Fox ends up murdered, Jess and local reporter Mark, investigate the crime.

This is a promising start to a new cozy mystery series. Haverstock has developed likable characters and an interesting storyline that engages the reader. This mystery has several potential suspects and many twists and turns. I am looking forward to the next book and encourage cozy mystery readers to give this series a try.

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

Sappho’s Missing Poems

Sappho’s Missing Poems: GKP Lost Treasures Series 1, Book 9

Grant Kelly

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Sappho was one of the greatest poet from Ancient Greece. Her poetry was revered throughout Greece, but somehow, only fragments remain today. Were they destroyed by religious leaders? Did they become lost during the many conquests in this area? Kelly does a good job of giving a brief overview of the importance of Sappho’s poetry and explored theories of what may have happened to them. I found this short audiobook interesting and a good introduction to this mystery.

Raphael’s Missing Painting

Raphael’s Missing Painting: GKP Lost Treasure Series, Book 8

Grant Kelly

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Raphael’s “Portrait of a Young Man” has been missing since World War II when the Nazi’s stoled it and then it vanished. Kelly’s short audiobook discusses the history of this famous painting, its disappearance and theories of what happened to it. Was it sold on the black market, destroyed in a bombing raid or hidden away in private collections? The fate of this painting remains a mystery today. I enjoyed listening to this audiobook and think that readers who enjoy historical mysteries would appreciate this book.

 Monuments men

A Vow To Die For

A Vow To Die For: A Paisley Penrose Cozy Mystery, Book 3

Cheryl Marlow

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Paisley Penrose and her Aunt Dottie are hosting a wedding of a social media influencer at their Florida inn when tragedy strikes. A wedding crasher is poisoned after sneaking a piece of wedding cake before the ceremony. The wedding party is restricted to the Sandlin Inn while Detective Grant, along assistance from Paisley, investigate the murder. Can Paisley and Detective Grant solve this mystery and bring a killer to justice?

I enjoyed this cozy mystery. Marlow does a nice job of developing characters and creating a plot with many twists and turns. This mystery kept my attention and I was surprised by the ending. There is also a bit of humor, a slow burn romance and a cute labradoodle who sniffs out clues…all the components of a good cozy read. All though this is part of a series, it is written as a standalone, so I didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything. I encourage lovers of cozy mysteries to give this book a read.

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

Dead Men Don’t Skate

Dead Men Don’t Skate: A Carolina Teal Cozy Mystery Book 6

CC Trace

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Pine Haven is hosting a charity hockey game to raise money for the local children’s hospital. When one of the players is found murdered and her boyfriend’s cousin becomes the prime suspect, Carolina and Jack set out to clear his name. 

This book is a great addition to Carolina Teal Cozy Mysteries. This book has mystery, suspense, humor and a little romance. I love how the characters have developed and the storyline kept my attention throughout the book. I was honestly surprised by the conclusion. I encourage cozy mystery lovers to read this book (and the rest of the series). I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

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

A Murder in the Ledger

A Murder in the Ledger: A Moonlight Bay Cozy Mystery

C. L. Harrow

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Bookstore owner Grace Hastings becomes involved in a murder when the Annual Antiques and Arts Fair coordinator is murdered. Along with her dog, Murphy and ex-cop turned reporter Tom Barlow, Grace is determined to find the killer. This book has a pretty good premise but there seems to be some holes in the plot. I was gifted an advanced copy, so some of these holes were hopefully fixed in the final edit. Since it is a novella, there is not much time for character development, but the two main characters seem to work well together. And Murphy is a great dog detective, finds several important clues to help solve the mystery. Overall, I think this author has potential and look forward to reading more installments in this series.

Carols of Murder

Carols of Murder: The Thorndale Christmas Mysteries Series, Book 1

Cait Byrne

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This is the first installment of Cait Byrne’s new series and it is an entertaining read. Her main character, Dr. Elinor March, moves from London to her late grandmother’s cottage in Thorndale to rebuild her life after her husband betrays her. While going through her grandmother’s papers, she uncovers secrets about the town that leads to the murder of a well-respected resident. She teams up with Tom Ashworth, the town’s vicar to solve the mystery and find the murderer. 

This book grabbed my interest immediately. The author does a good job of setting the scene and developing the main characters. The plot is easy to follow and there are twists and turns that kept me guessing. The author also adds a little bit of a slow burn romance and a cliffhanger that carries onto the next book. I enjoyed reading this book and I look forward to reading more in this series. 

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

Flickers of Deceit

Flickers of Deceit: A Quillhaven Magical Cozy Mystery, Book 10

Tessa Silver

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Magic candle maker, Serena Rosewood, begins to have problems with her candles. Customers are complaining that the magic in her products are doing the opposite of what Serena claims they do. She’s losing business quickly and fears she will have to close her shop. The local chemistry teacher, Ryan Bedford and magical cats, Leo and Luna, vow to help Serena find who is sabotaging her candles and save her business.

I absolutely love the Quillhaven series and this book is no exception. The author does a great job of developing a solid plot line and introducing interesting characters. She incorporates a sweet romance and, of course, magic throughout the story. Though this is a series, each book is a standalone with a mixture of new and reoccurring characters. I highly recommend this book to cozy mystery readers!

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

The Mystery of Peking Man

The Mystery of Peking Man: GKP Lost Treasures, Book 7

Grant Kelly

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In 1929, archeologists discovered Peking Man, an ancient skeleton that held valuable information about human evolution. Due to political unrest in China and World War II it was decided that the fossils would be shipped to the United States. However, they disappeared and have yet to be found. Kelly begins this short read with a history of the Peking Man discovery and its disappearance. He then discusses some theories of what could have happened to the artifacts. This was an interesting audiobook that gives an overview of this important discovery. I think readers who enjoy mysteries and history will enjoy listening to this audiobook.