Tag: cozy mystery

REVIEW: Seven-Year Witch by Angela M. Sanders

REVIEW: Seven-Year Witch by Angela M. Sanders

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Kensington in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

When Josie notices Sam is back in town, it makes her heart race a little. But finding he’s come back with his not-so-ex wife, Fiona, and a baby, is a crushing discovery. Then Fiona goes missing. And the police suspect foul play. They also suspect Sam. So Josie agrees to help him find the truth.

Josie is hoping her developing magic could help with the case. But her grandmother’s letter to train Josie about curses doesn’t paint an optimistic picture for resolving the troubles she senses at the site of the old mill. But “trouble” is the right word. A body is found – but it isn’t Fiona’s.

Review

I loved book 1 in this Witch Way Librarian series, Bait and Witch. I loved how the books in the library spoke to Josie about the mysteries she faced and how they were central to her magic. But in this second book, the magical system has expanded to include land spirits, curses, and Josie taking over the body of her cat. That took things a few steps too far for me as a reader. I loved the bookish pieces, but the rest of this one didn’t click.

I didn’t enjoy Josie’s pining over Sam. And there really weren’t many fun character moments in this at all – well, except for the elderly woman who loved sweets. She was great. But characters are crucial for my enjoyment of a book.

The mystery is well-plotted and twisty, but I struggled to connect with it since I wasn’t clicking with the characters. Readers who enjoy their paranormal cozies with a broader magical system might have better luck with this one than I did. Fans of the first book, your mileage may vary on this, depending on what you enjoyed with the story.

Rating: ♥♥½*

*♥♥½ = Mostly solid to solid. Not a great fit for me, though.

 

REVIEW: Fatal Family Ties by S. C. Perkins

REVIEW: Fatal Family Ties by S. C. Perkins

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

When Lucy Lancaster worked for a university library, Camilla Braithwaite was among her least favorite co-workers. Alone, Camilla was fine, but she was a follower. And when her cronies were unkind or manipulative to Lucy, Camilla always went along with them.

Out from under the expectations of that job, Lucy doesn’t have to put up with any of Camilla’s antics any more. But Camilla comes to Lucy for help. A national publication has published an article maligning Camilla’s family and her famous ancestor who fought in the Civil War.  Someone is claiming Camilla’s ancestor ruined their family. Camilla wants Lucy to find the truth and clear her family’s name.

As Lucy digs into the family history, one of Camilla’s relatives is killed. And a prized family painting is stolen. So Lucy and her FBI boyfriend, Ben, start hunting for a killer.

Review

This is such a great series! I enjoy Lucy and all of the fascinating things she knows about history and about family relationships. She and Ben get to team up in this one, which I loved.

The history and the art angles in this story were fascinating. And there are some great twists. The mysteries in this series are always well-plotted, and this one kept me guessing until the end.

Series fans should not miss this. Newcomers shouldn’t struggle if they start here. Some of Lucy’s relationships might not feel well-developed for those who start with this book. But the foundational work with Ben and with Lucy’s friends/officemates was done in the earlier books, Murder Once Removed and Lineage Most Lethal. Mystery fans and genealogy fans should not miss the Ancestry Detective series!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: Murder Always Barks Twice by Jennifer Hawkins

REVIEW: Murder Always Barks Twice by Jennifer Hawkins

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Berkley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Emma’s new business, Reed’s Tea and Cakes, is finding some traction. The teas she hosts at the King’s Rest have become quite popular. So when another caterer backs out at the last minute, Emma and her friends at the King’s Rest Bed and Breakfast are called in to cater the Daphne du Maurier Literary Festival.

Emma and Angelique are excited about the opportunity, but at the same time, something seems off about the whole thing. There’s obviously some drama in the planning group. And something is up with the finances which caused the other caterer to back out. Then, when someone dies, there’s almost no end to the questions about what is going on with the festival and the festival site.

When a family member of the deceased hears how Emma helped solve a murder, they ask her to look into this suspicious death. So Emma and her talking corgi, Oliver, are on the case again.

Review

This was terrific! Another delightful mystery in the Chatty Corgi series. Oliver is adorable as always, Emma is a clever sleuth, and the mystery was perfectly twisty.

I think Emma and Oliver are what make this series special. Oliver has a fantastic “voice” in the series. He even gets his own point-of-view chapters, which are so fun to read. But all of his antics and detective work still fall into what would be “appropriate” for a canine character. The fact that Emma understands him is the only “magical” piece of the series.

I love the relationship between Emma and Oliver, as well as the author’s excellent descriptions for their interactions. It’s truly a delightful relationship. And that relationship makes this a must-read series for me.

If the great characters and fun hook of a talking dog wasn’t enough, the mystery is excellently paced and plotted. I was guessing all the way through to the end, and my curiosity over the case never waned.

Cozy fans and dog lovers should not miss this series. You can read my full review of book one, To Fetch a Felon, here. In fact, when you pick up Murder Always Barks Twice, check out the Praise for To Fetch a Felon page at the front for a quote from my review. (You can even see it on the “Look Inside” feature on Amazon.) Book 3 in the series, A Cold Nose for Murder, is scheduled to release in Spring, 2022.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: Murder Most Fowl by Donna Andrews

REVIEW: Murder Most Fowl by Donna Andrews

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Meg and her family are playing host once again, this time to a group  of actors putting on a production of Macbeth. Thanks to an interdepartmental war at the college, Michael and his actors are using the farm and an amphitheater at Meg’s grandfather’s zoo to practice their play. There’s also a group of historical reenactors staying on Meg’s parents’ property. And the warring English and history professors are dropping in regularly.

In the midst of that chaos, trouble is stirring. A vandal is striking at the farm. The reenactors’ antics are putting them at risk for arrest. Someone seems to be concocting a potion over a risky open fire in the woods. And then there’s the murder.

Review

Another fun mystery with Meg and her friends and family! (This is book 29 in the Meg Langslow Mystery series.)

I have been a fan of this series since the first few books released over 20 years ago. Meg, with her notebook-that-tells-her-when-to-breathe is one of my favorite protagonists. She’s such a great character, and her extended family and the community folks are characters I look forward to spending time with when each new book releases.

There’s a TON going on here with the actors and the reenactors and all of the college folks. There’s the Macbeth-related events and the criminal and mischievous behaviors. Evil spells. Vandals. Murder. Puppies. This book has it all.

I loved watching the various mysteries play out. I didn’t really even try to sort out the villain for myself. Instead, I just watched it all unfold. And it was supremely satisfying.

Like the Andy Carpenter series, which I have reviewed recently, the Meg Langslow books are probably easy enough to follow story-wise for someone to start with this book or another one of the latter books in the series. But the cast in this series is VAST and could be hard to track without the history of what – and who – has come before.  Personally, I’d love to go back to the beginning of the series – Murder with Peacocks, Murder with Puffins, Revenge of the Wrought-Iron Flamingos – sometime and experience the early days of this great series all over again. I highly recommend cozy fans dig into this meaty series. Book 30 – The Twelve Jays of Christmas – releases in October.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ – I loved it! Would re-read.

REVIEW: A Fiancée's Guide to First Wives and Murder by Dianne Freeman

REVIEW: A Fiancée’s Guide to First Wives and Murder by Dianne Freeman

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Kensington in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Frances is already in mixed moods. She’s happy to send her mother away for a few days’ break while she visits Paris. But her mother is taking Frances’ daughter, Rose, and she will be missed. But it turns out for the best when an inspector arrives with a French woman who insists she is married to Frances’ fiancé, George.

Irena Teskey is the illegitimate cousin of the Grand Duke of Russia. She was detained when she tried to get the man’s attention by throwing a rock at him. She insists someone is threatening her, but her stories circle around and go nowhere. She seems wholly unbelievable. But George is called on by the prince himself to check out her story.

George insists the dramatic Irena is prone to extremes, but he is definitely not married to her. Yet he is required to look into her claims while she stays with Frances. Unfortunately, a murder makes it quite clear that Irena was not imagining that she was in danger.

Review

Another fun Countess of Harleigh mystery! I love Frances and George together – as a couple and also as investigators. It’s not often in cozies that the love interest/law enforcement character encourages the sleuth. I think it’s especially unusual for this time period. But it’s refreshing, and I enjoy that aspect of this series.

The case here was stressful. Irena’s claims caused a lot of trouble for Frances and George. And her penchant for drama was getting on my nerves. I enjoyed the ending which caught me by surprise in all the best ways.

Fans and series readers should not miss this one. If you’re not familiar with the series, I think you *could* start here but maybe shouldn’t. There’s some history between Frances and one of the characters that gives their relationship some extra nuance that newcomers might miss. But I don’t think you HAVE to know that history to enjoy the main characters and the mystery here. As I was reading this, it brought to mind the Rosalind Thorne series – fans of those books should check these out, too.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: Deadly Delights by Laura Jensen Walker

REVIEW: Deadly Delights by Laura Jensen Walker

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Lester Morris – aka “Lester the Molester” – is notorious for his lecherous behavior. Sexist comments, inappropriate touching, innuendo and more. In fact, he grabbed Teddie’s butt while he was serving as a judge for the local baking off. She smacked him with her rolling pin and told him off.

So it’s really no surprise that Teddie is the prime suspect, at least to Lester’s widow, when Lester is later found dead. But Lester harassed a LOT of women who were sick of his behavior. Maybe one of them – or a husband or father – finally had enough of Lester’s antics.

Teddie and her friends are determined to clear her name – again. The last murder almost cost her her publishing deal. She’s not willing to risk that again.

Review

This was fun! I enjoy the crew in Lake Potawatomi, and it’s always fun to head back to my childhood home region, even if only in fiction. The mystery here is pretty straightforward, but the solution was twisty. My guess for the culprit was wrong, but I enjoyed watching the full resolution play out.

If you aren’t familiar with Laura Jensen Walker’s work, I highly recommend anything she writes. You can read my review of Murder Most Sweet, the first book in the Bookish Baker Mystery series, here. You can also read my review of the first book in her Faith Chapel Mystery series, Hope, Faith, and a Corpse, here. Be sure to check out her whole backlist, too – I’ve read several of her older books, and I loved them. (TW: sexual harassment)

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good+

 

BONUS REVIEW: Phantoms and Felonies by Lucy Ness

BONUS REVIEW: Phantoms and Felonies by Lucy Ness

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this from Netgalley and Berkley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

The Portage Path Women’s Club is hosting a murder mystery dinner and fundraiser. Avery gets some help from Clemmie, the resident ghost from the 1920s, to turn the old speakeasy into an authentic space for their production. And things are coming together, but the production isn’t without its troubles.

The financial backer – and star of the show – is bickering constantly with the playwright. The Women’s Club members are bickering over whether the event – and the Club in general – should be open to the public instead of just the club members with long histories with the group. And one of the women at the Club suspects her husband of having an affair.

Avery just wants to get through the play. The Club needs the money, the success, and the good press. But that’s just not possible when someone is killed during the production.

Review

Another fun story in the Haunted Mansion Mystery series after Haunted Homicide (♥♥♥♥). I enjoy Avery and “her cop,” Oz. They are sweet together, and while he wants to keep her safe, he doesn’t shut her completely out of his investigations when it comes to the Club. As for the other characters, I don’t always track the Club ladies very well, except for the one who does roller derby. I’d like to see those characters developed a little more as the series goes on.

There are tons of suspects for this murder, including an unexpected surprise for Avery. I was stumped until the end of this one. The final confrontation and the solution were great.

This book delved more into the paranormal elements than the last book which was just Clemmie the ghost. This included a séance and some spiritualists as well as another ghost. I did enjoy getting a few new tidbits to Clemmie’s story, but I resented those whose actions could have caused her trouble. I have my fingers crossed that we will get more of Clemmie’s story as the series continues.

Fans of paranormal mysteries, especially ones with ghosts, should check this series out. (Séance, ghosts)

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good+

BONUS REVIEW: Under the Cover of Murder by Lauren Elliott

BONUS REVIEW: Under the Cover of Murder by Lauren Elliott

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Kensington in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Addie is focused on seeing her friend, Serena, married. The groom’s step-mother has been a terror throughout the planning process, ignoring the wishes of the couple. She cancelled reservations, changed their cake, and ignored their plans for a small gathering, inviting her personal friends. Addie is running interference and trying to keep things from going off the rails. She doesn’t need the distraction of a murder on the beach near where the yacht for the wedding is anchored.

She also doesn’t need the disaster of Lacey Davenport. Lacey causes trouble and chaos wherever she goes. The last time Addie saw her, Lacey stole money from Serena. There’s no way she was invited  to the wedding. But she shows up, and she stirs up trouble anyway.

While Serena and her new husband are able to get away for their honeymoon, the guests who spent the night on the yacht find themselves confined on board when police find a second body connected to the yacht. It’s only a matter of time before Addie starts sleuthing.

Review

This is the sixth book in the Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery, but it’s the first I have read. I enjoyed the setting for this – guests and suspects confined to the boat during the investigation. It’s what drew me to the story in the first place.

There’s a LOT going on in this book: two murders that may or may not be connected, a book-related mystery which draws Addie in to the investigation, affairs, secrets, suspicious, and relationship drama. There’s also a really large cast for this story. I struggled to track everyone, and at times the case seemed to spin its wheels. Maybe this would have been a better fit for me if I had read the previous books in the series. At least, I would know more of the main characters. That was really the only piece that ever left me feeling lost, even though I picked up in the middle of a series – tracking all the characters. I also struggled with some of the writing choices in this one, at least in the unedited review copy.

The mystery here is satisfying. I think series fans will enjoy this one. I always like seeing characters grow through everyday life events as a series grows, and this book includes Serena’s wedding as well as some relationship developments for a few other characters.

Rating: ♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥ = Good/Solid/Fine

BONUS REVIEW: Fresh Brewed Murder by Emmeline Duncan

BONUS REVIEW: Fresh Brewed Murder by Emmeline Duncan

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Kensington in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Sage and her friend, Harley, just opened their coffee cart, Ground Rules. They’ve been getting to know their neighbors – other food truck owners – and watching the protesters across the street, protesting a development going in.

On what should have been their third day of business, Sage discovers the gate to the square open, the door to her coffee cart ajar, and a dead body. And the murder weapon, a box cutter, was something Sage had been using in her cart for the last two days.

Now Sage is a murder suspect, her business is temporarily closed for the investigation, and she finds out her estranged mother has ties to the case. If Sage wants to be able to focus on the full launch of their business, she’s going to have to clear her name and find a killer.

Review

This was so good! There’s an engaging cast of characters, excellent pacing to both the mystery and the series set up, and tons of great coffee-related moments. For serious coffee lovers, there are lots of little details about what Sage and Harley are doing with their business, both the food cart and the roasting pieces. For those of us who take a more simple approach to caffeine, though, the details are fun but don’t bog things down.

The mystery does a great job of drawing out the details of Sage’s childhood and the situation with her mother in genuine and unforced ways. I was really impressed by how the author used the mystery to share that backstory rather than dumping the information in some other way. This way of crafting the story was one of my favorite parts of the book. Also, the reveal of the killer caught me completely by surprise, which was fun.

I loved the characters in this! Sage will keep me coming back for more books in this series. I was fascinated by the ways her character is self-aware, especially about the impact of life with her mother on her personality now. She does a great job thinking through the boundary between being personable and manipulating people. I hope her romantic life will settle on my favorite of her two suitors. And I’m eager to see how some of her other relationships develop, especially with Harley, who is off-page for a lot of the book. I never got a good feel for her in the book, so I have high hopes that book 2 will dig more into their friendship and business partnership.

This books releases NEXT week, on March 30, 2021.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it ! Would re-read.

REVIEW: Furbidden Fatality by Deborah Blake

REVIEW: Furbidden Fatality by Deborah Blake

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Berkley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Kari bought the lottery ticket when she was shopping for kitty litter. It seems only fitting that she use some of her winnings to buy the run down animal rescue. It’s “kitten season,” and all of the area shelters are full to overflowing. Now, Kari can help.

And the rescue itself needs help. The local dog warden has been harassing the former owner. And he’s bringing them to court saying one of their animals got out and attacked someone. Kari gets to see for herself how hateful the man is when they have a confrontation outside the court house. But that doesn’t mean she’s not surprised when she stumbles across his dead body on her new property.

Plenty of people heard Kari shouting with the man. So of course she is now a murder suspect. So is the former rescue owner. But they aren’t the only ones with bones to pick with the deceased. Kari and her friends start sleuthing so they can point the authorities to the real culprit in order to re-open the rescue and move on with their lives.

Review

What an excellent story! This is the kickoff for the Catskills Pet Rescue Mystery series, and it is a must-read series for me now. The cast is fantastic and the mystery is first rate. Cozies tend to have a theme – coffee, food, crafts, animals, etc. – and I loved this one. The animal descriptions in the book, especially for Queenie, the little black kitten, are outstanding. I can’t say enough good things about this story.

I loved Kari, the protagonist. We only get a hint at her backstory, but her passion for standing up to bullies and her awesome boundaries with her brother endeared her to me right away. I enjoyed most of the cast around her, too. (One character runs hot and cold to the extremes when it comes to Kari, and she was really starting to tick me off. The rest, though, are delightful.)

The mystery was fantastic. There are layers to it that play out for the last quarter or so of the book, so I really felt like I got my “money’s worth” out of the mystery angle. Some pieces are resolved early while others play out at the very end. I thought the pacing of the whole thing was perfect.

The hook of a lottery winner sinking her winnings into a passion project is so fun. I’d love to see that become a trope in novels – I’d read every last one of them. It’s a fun wish-fulfillment piece to this story that I really enjoyed. Cozy fans, mystery fans, and animal lovers should be sure to pick this one up!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!