Murder by the Lighthouse

Murder by the Lighthouse: A Paisley Penrose Cozy Mystery, Book 1

Cheryl Marlow

⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Paisley Penrose finds herself entangled in a mystery when the mayor of Sand Key Shores is killed when a stage collapses under him during a speech. When the death is ruled a homicide, Paisley and Detective Grant Holloway are determined to find the killer and the motive behind the murder. Murder by the Lighthouse has a solid plot line. The author adds a few twists and turns to make things interesting. I also liked the end of the story where Detective Grant went through each suspect, explaining why they may have a motive and what evidence ruled them out. That being said, there were a few things that the author could improve on in future books. The character development seemed a bit lacking. It was a little difficult to connect to the characters because there wasn’t much background information given. Also, Marlow tended to repeat similar narratives throughout the book. Despite these issues, I enjoyed the story line and would give this 3 1/2 stars if possible. I look forward to reading more from this author.

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

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.