One for the Books (Library Lover's Mystery #11) by Jean McKinley

Title: One for the Books (Library Lover’s Mystery #11)

Author: Jenn McKinley

Narrated by: Allyson Ryan

Pages: 300

Duration: 7 hours 27 minutes

Year: 2020

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Publisher: Berkley Books (print); Dreamscapes (audiobook)

Format: Audiobook (also available in eBook and paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     Wedding bells are ringing in the latest page-turning Library Lover’s Mystery.

     Love is in the air in Briar Creek as library director Lindsey Norris and boat captain Mike (Sully) Sullivan are finally tying the knot. The entire town is excited for the happy day, and Lindsey and Sully’s plan for a small wedding evaporates as more and more people insist upon attending the event of the year.

     When Lindsey and her crafternoon pals head out to Bell Island to see if it can accommodate the ever-expanding guest list, they are horrified to discover a body washed up on the rocky shore. Even worse, Lindsey recognizes the man as the justice of the peace who was supposed to officiate her wedding ceremony. When it becomes clear he was murdered, Lindsey can’t help but wonder if it had to do with the wedding. Now she has to book it to solve the mystery before it ends her happily ever after before it’s even begun….

My review:

     This is a wonderful cozy mystery.

     I love both of the main characters. They have a great relationship and really work together as they try to sort out the problems that have arisen in their personal lives. That’s true also as they piece together the clues to find the murderer.

     The plot has plenty of twists and a number of suspects. They really kept me on my toes as I tried to figure out the motive as well as the murderer.

     The narrator for this book does an incredible job. I love all the different voices that she uses for each character. It helped to make the story come alive for me.

     I’m giving this wonderful book a rating of 5 stars. I definitely recommend it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention or review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I have done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Plum Tea Crazy (Tea Shop Mystery #19) by Laura Childs

Title: Plum Tea Crazy (Tea Shop Mystery #19)

Author: Laura Childs

Pages: 318

Year: 2018

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Publisher: Berkley Books

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     Theodosia Browning investigates a Charleston steeped in tradition and treachery in the latest Tea Shop Mystery from New York Times bestselling author Laura Childs.

     While viewing the harbor’s Gaslights and Galleons Parade from the widow’s walk of Timothy Neville’s Charleston mansion, local banker Carson Lanier seemingly tumbles over a narrow railing, then plunges three stories to his death. But a tragic accident becomes something much more sinister when it’s discovered that the victim was first shot with a bolt from a crossbow.

     At the request of the mansion owner, Theodosia investigates the tragedy and is soon neck deep in suspects. An almost ex-wife, a coworker, a real estate partner-all had motives for killing the luckless banker, but one resorted to murder to settle accounts.

My review:

     This is a great cozy mystery.

     I love each of the main characters. Theodosia, Drayton, and Detective Pete Riley come to my mind as the main ones. I really liked seeing how Theodosia is quick to  get involved in dangerous situations. Her mind is sharp and she has a wonderful ability in getting people to open up and talk to her.

     The plot of this mystery is incredible. There is a huge list of suspects that have to be kept track of. It was a lot of fun going on the journey with Theodosia as she tried to figure out who the culprit was.

     I have decided to give this wonderful book a rating of 5 stars. It’s a great cozy mystery and I do recommend it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention or review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I have done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Egg Shooters (Cackleberry Club #9) by Laura Childs

NOTICE: Follow by Email will be going away in July of 2021. If you follow my blog through this widget you will no longer receive my posts. 

Title: Egg Shooters (Cackleberry Club #9)

Author: Laura Childs

Narrator:Susan Boyce

Pages: 304

Length: 7 hours, 40 minutes

Year: 2021

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Publisher: Berkley Books (print)

       Dreamscape Media, LLC (audio)

Format: Audiobook (also available in eBook and paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     A murder in the local hospital is raising everyone’s temperature in the latest book in the New York Times bestselling Cackleberry Club series.

     Suzanne Dietz, co-owner of the Cackleberry Club Cafe, is visiting her fiancé, Dr. Sam Hazelet, when a masked gunman bursts into the emergency room. He shoots two people and would probably have done more damage had Suzanne not brained him with a thermos full of chili. Still, the gunman manages to escape.

     Now the ladies of the Cackleberry Club are determined to find the killer before he finds them.

My review:

     This is an amazing cozy mystery!

     I love the main characters in this book. Suzanne and her two friends who own the Cackleberry Club Cafe can’t be more different from each other. They have truly figured out how to work together running their business though.

     The plot of the mystery is fantastic. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing and confused.

     The narrator does a fabulous job! She is a wonderful voice actress and has a wide variety of voices and accents for each of the various characters. She really made the story come to life.

     I am giving this entertaining book a rating of 5 stars. I highly recommend it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention or review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I have done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Dead-End Detective (Piper and Porter Mystery #1) by Amanda Flower

Title: Dead-End Detective (Piper and Porter Mystery #1)

Author: Amanda Flower

Narrator: Laura Faye Smith

Pages: 227

Length: 7 hours

Release Date: August 25, 2020

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Publisher: Hallmark Publishing (book) Dreamscape (audio)

Format: audiobook (also available in paperback and eBook)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     They were the Two Girls Detective Agency. Now, one of them is dead, and the other is suspected of murder. Darby Piper is in shock. Samantha Porter—her mentor and business partner at Two Girls Detective Agency—has died in a car crash, and it doesn’t look like an accident. In fact, evidence is pointing toward Darby. Darby had expected to inherit Samantha’s half of the agency, but Samantha had recently changed the will to leave it to Tate Porter, her nephew, who returns to town. Tate is no P.I. He’s a veteran, a world traveler, and something of a mystery himself. But as he helps Darby delve into secret histories and real estate development plans, he does seem to have a knack for the job. Will the agency have a future. . .even it Darby can prove her innocence in time?

My review:

This is a wonderful cozy mystery!

I really like both of the main characters. Both Darby and Tate are very well developed. Then there is a whole cast of supporting characters. Some of them have some definite quirks that make them very fun to meet. One of my favorites has to be Darby’s mother, the librarian. I loved how she was always encouraging everyone to read.

The mystery is very well crafted. Plenty of twists and turns. Enough suspects to keep the reader guessing. Then a revelation very near the end of the book that completely caught me by surprise.

The narrator was absolutely fabulous! She did an incredible job of switching voices and accents as each character was talking. I was amazed at how well she did then voices of the men too. She truly made the story come to life. I hope that she narrates a lot more audiobooks.

I am giving this marvelous story a rating of 5 stars both for the story and for the narration. I highly recommend it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention or review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I have done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Belinda Blake and the Snake in the Grass (An Exotic Pet-Sitter Mystery #1) by Heather Day Gilbert

Title: Belinda Blake and the Snake in the Grass (An Exotic Pet-Sitter Mystery #1)

Author: Heather Day Gilbert

Pages: 194

Year: 2019

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Publisher: Kensington Books / Lyrical Underground

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     When exotic pet-sitter Belinda Blake moves into a carriage house in tony Greenwich, Connecticut, she’s hoping to find some new clients. Instead she discovers a corpse in the garden—and a knack for solving murders . . .

     Pet-sitter Belinda Blake doesn’t rattle easily, but move-in day has been eventful, to say the least. They python in her care tried to slither to freedom—just as she met Stone Carrington V, her landlords’ disarmingly handsome son. With the constrictor back in its cage, she heads out to the garden, only to discover a designer shoe poking out of the boxwood hedge—attached to a woman’s dead body.

     The victim, Margo Fenton, was a Carrington family friend, and no one in their circle seems above suspicion. Between client trips to Manhattan and visits to her family in upstate New York, Belinda begins to put the pieces together. But though she’s falling for Stone’s numerous charms, Belinda wonders if she’s cozying up to a killer. And soon, daily contact with a deadly reptile might be the least dangerous part of her life . . .

My review:

     This is a great cozy mystery.

     I had a lot of trouble getting into the book. My only problem was with how much of the early part of the book was talking about clothing and style simply by what seemed to me to be designer names. Since I don’t know what any of them are I was lost. 

     Once we had reached a point that Belinda had been thoroughly introduced this way and the mystery took over I quickly became caught up in the story. The mystery was very intricately woven and definitely kept my attention.

     Belinda is a very different character. Both of her jobs are very unusual. I was equal parts fascinated and grossed out by all of the descriptions of how a ball python is cared for.

     There are a lot of very strange characters in this story. Many of them had me guessing as to whether they could have been the killer. 

     Here on my own blog I have the freedom to rate this book with 4 1/2 stars. I do recommend it for the excellence of the mystery.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Recipe for Deception (Creative Woman Mysteries #3) by Rachael Phillips

Title: Recipe for Deception (Creative Woman Mysteries #3)

Author: Rachael Phillips

Pages: 250

Year: 2013

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Publisher: Annie’s Fiction

Format: Hardback (also available in eBook)

About the book:

     From the moment Shannon McClain set foot in America, she’s dreamed of the day her teenage twins, Alec and Lara, could join her. Now that the college semester is over, Shannon’s dreams have finally come true!

     The twins arrive in Apple Grove just in time for the grand opening of Espresso Yourself, the new coffee shop addition to the Paisley Craft Market & Artist Lofts, and both spend much of their time helping out at the store. Thrilled to have her kids with her again, Shannon looks forward to a summer together filled with laughter and fun.

     But her plans quickly spoil when her daughter takes a part-time delivery job working for Joyce Buchanan at the Pink Sprinkles Bakery and a customer dies after eating a cupcake delivered by Lara. Consumed by guilt for having served the fatal dessert, Lara turns to local bad boy Chaz Loper for comfort—the last boy Shannon would ever want her daughter to date. Shannon and Alec each have their own suspicions about Chaz and his true motives for befriending Lara, but when they try to warn her about him, it only pushes her away and creates tension in the house.

     Meanwhile, rumors about the deadly cupcake spread like wildfire through the small town and Joyce’s business begins to suffer. As more unsavory events unfold, all seemingly connected to Joyce, it becomes clear to Shannon, and the other women of the Purls of Hope knitting circle, that someone is trying to set her up. They decide to take matters into their own hands and find out who’s really behind all the trouble before Joyce is arrested for a crime she didn’t commit.

     With two irascible teens breathing down her neck, and a busy craft business to run, can Shannon whip up a crime-solving recipe in time to catch the killer before another deadly dish is served? Join Shannon and the Purls as they tackle this latest mystery to come to Apple Grove.

My review:

     This is a great cozy mystery!

     I love the regular characters in this series. It is wonderful to see how they interact with and support each other through all of the difficulties that they face. It was wonderful to see how Shannon and her kids butted heads over a number of things. They are such realistic characters.

     The mystery is well developed. I did manage to guess who the murderer was before the end of the book. I was completely confused about the motive though. That definitely kept my interest and reading to the very end.

     I have decided to give this book a rating of 5 stars. I am definitely recommending it.

Hitting the Books (Library Lovers Mystery #9) by Jenn McKinlay

Title: Hitting the Books (Library Lovers Mystery #9)

Author: Jenn McKinlay

Pages: 304

Release Date: September 11, 2018

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Publisher: Berkley Books

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

About the book:

     It’s murder by the book in the latest hit Library Lover’s mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of Death in the Stacks.

     When a stack of library materials is found at the scene of a hit and run, library director Lindsey Norris finds herself dragged into the investigation as the police try to link the driver of the stolen car to the person who borrowed the books. Before Lindsey can delve into the library’s records, the victim of the hit and run, Theresa Houston, suffers another “accident” and the investigation shifts from driver negligence to attempted homicide.

     A clue surfaces in the confiscated library materials that could crack open the case and it is up to Lindsey to piece it all together. But things are not as they seem in the sleepy town of Briar Creek and when the driver of the stolen car turns up dead, Lindsey, her staff and her library friends have to hit the books before the murderer gets the last word . . .

My review:

     This is a great cozy mystery.

     There is quite a variety of personalities among the characters in this book. I enjoyed the interactions between Lindsey and the other employees in the library. They all seem to know her really well and her ability to stick her nose into business that she shouldn’t.

     The mystery was wonderful. There were plenty of twists and turns that kept me guessing. I was surprised by the final reveal of who-done-it and why.

     This book is not within the category of inspirational fiction. I did struggle some with the characters living together without being married. These are my personal feelings and I know that each person makes their own decision about this. If this will bother you then you may want to select a different book to read.

     I have decided to give this book a rating of 4 stars. The mystery itself is well written and for it and the writing style I am recommending it. It was a fun story to try and figure out.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Death by Darjeeling (Tea Shop Mystery #1) by Laura Childs

Title: Death by Darjeeling (Tea Shop Mystery #1)

Author: Laura Childs

Pages: 256

Year: 2001

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

About the book:

     Meet Theodosia Browning, owner of Charleston’s beloved Indigo Tea Shop. Patrons love her blend of delicious tea tastings and southern hospitality. And Theo enjoys the full-bodied flavor of a town steeped in history — and mystery… — It’s tea for two hundred or so at the annual historic homes garden party. And Theodosia, as event caterer, is busy serving steaming teas and blackberry scones while guests sing her praises. But the sweet smell of success turns to suspense when an esteemed guest is found dead — his hand clutching an empty teacup. All eyes are on Theo… who is now trying desperately to save her reputation and track down the real killer. If only she can make sense of it all-before someone else takes their last sip…

My review:

     This is a good cozy mystery.

     I thoroughly enjoyed Theodosia Browning and her employees at the Indigo Tea Shop. There is a nice variety of personalities among this group. They are well developed and easy to connect with.

     The plot is great. There are a number of people that appear to be suspects. It was very interesting to see who the real murderer is and how that person is caught.

     There is one thing that bothered me about this book though. At times I felt that the story was encumbered by all of the details given in the descriptions. There seemed to be long periods that were just description of something or someone followed by another description about something or someplace else. The story seemed to bog down.

     If you enjoy cozy mysteries with lots of twists this book may be your cup of tea. I have decided to give it a rating of 4 stars.

Murder in the Mystery Suite (Book Retreat Mysteries #1) by Ellery Adams

Title: Murder in the Mystery Suite (Book Retreat Mysteries #1)

Author: Ellery Adams

Pages: 304

Year: 2014

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Publisher: Berkley

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

About the book:

     First in a new series!

     WHO WOULD RESORT TO MURDER?

     Tucked away in the rolling hills of rural western Virginia is the storybook resort of Storyton Hall, catering to book lovers who want to get away from it all. To increase her number of bookings, resort manager Jan Steward has decided to host a Murder and Mayhem week so that fans of the mystery genre can gather together for some role-playing and fantasy crime solving.

     But when the winner of the scavenger hunt, Felix Hampden, is found dead in the Mystery Suite, and the valuable book he won as his prize is missing, Jane realizes one of her guest is an actual murderer. Amid a resort full of fake detectives, Jane is bound and determined to find a real-life killer. There’s no room for error as Jane tries to unlock this mystery before another vacancy opens up…

My review:

     This is an incredible cozy mystery!

     I love the main characters in this book. They are extremely well developed and a pleasure to get to know. The variety is wonderful. The way that they interact with each other is fun and entertaining. I especially enjoyed the antics of Jane’s twin boys. 

     One of my favorite parts of the book was Storyton Hall itself. I would love to find a resort like it. It would be a delight to explore the different public rooms and libraries. Along with that I had a blast trying to see how many book, character, and author references there were in the naming of the actual places and characters in this fun book.

     The mystery and how it was plotted was fantastic. I was completely drawn into it and caught up in trying to figure out “who-dun-it” once the murder had occurred. There were plenty of twists and turns that kept me guessing. I changed my mind a few times as to who the culprit was a few times.

     One of Jane’s friends is very vocal about her preference for “steamy” romances. That description pushed my limits for a clean read a little. That was the only down side to this wonderful book for me. I just kept reminding myself that we can’t control our friends and their tastes either.

     I have decided to give this great story a rating of 5 stars. I am definitely recommending it. I look forward to reading future books in this series.

Murder is No Accident (Hidden Springs Mystery #3) by A. H. Gabhart

Title: Murder is No Accident (Hidden Springs Mystery #3)

Author: A. H. Gabhart

Pages: 352

Release Date: March 14, 2017

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Publisher: Revell

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

Note: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

About the book:

     Young Maggie Greene may be trespassing in the old, empty Victorian mansion on a quiet street in Hidden Springs, but all she wants is some private time in the magnificent tower room to write her stories. Certain she’ll be in trouble if caught, she hides when a realtor shows up. But someone else is in the house too, someone even more worried about getting caught. When Maggie finds the realtor’s body at the bottom of a flight of stairs and the other person gone, Deputy Sheriff Michael Keane is called in. He assumes the realtor’s death is a tragic accident—until a second person is found dead in the house. When Maggie is threatened, Michael must catch the murderer before anyone else dies.

     Cozy mystery fans will love this third installment in The Hidden Springs Mysteries series from an author who knows how to make small-town America sweet, sentimental—and a little sinister.

My review:

     A great small town cozy mystery!

     The mystery story itself is a stand-alone plot. Life is progressing for the main characters, is the only way that this novel fits into the series. If having that make sense is important to you read the series in order.

     I love the quirky characters in Hidden Springs! We meet some new ones in this third installment in the mysterious goings on in town. A family that has lived there forever is brought in and some newcomers show up. The initial interaction between characters from the earlier books and the newly introduced ones are very easy to relate with.

     It is fun to try and figure out who the “bad” guys are. Some of the quirky ones can come across as bad at times and really confuse the issue.

     I thoroughly enjoyed this third installment in the series. I hope that there are more to come. I am highly recommending this wonderful book and giving it a rating of 5 stars.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

A Deadly Stitch (Creative Woman Mystery #2) by Susan Sleeman + A GIVEAWAY

Title: A Deadly Stitch (Creative Woman Mystery #2)

Author: Susan Sleeman

Pages: 240

Year: 2012

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Publisher: Annie’s Attic

Format: Hardback (also available in eBook)

About the book:

     After Purls of Hope member Melanie’s ex-husband is found buried in the flower bed outside the craft store with one of her knitting needles in his neck, she’s named as the number one suspect in his murder.

     She certainly had the motive. He’d left her a year earlier, after learning she had breast cancer. And it’s no secret they hadn’t been on good terms since.

     Shannon and the Purls know someone is setting Melanie up. But who would do such a thing? And can Shannon track down the real killer before he strikes again?

My review:

     This is a delightful cozy mystery!

     The mystery is a stand-alone story. But Shannon’s personal life is moving along and things in the first book are referenced.

     I absolutely love the main character in this series. Shannon McClain is the devoted friend that everyone needs to have at least one of. Even though she is dealing with her own personal struggles when her friend Melanie needs her she focuses on helping in any way she can. I thoroughly enjoy the fact that her love of watching mysteries and crime shows on TV has made her the group expert for solving crimes for her friends.

     Michael Stone is a nice person for her to have step up and help her out. I was very amused by the fact that all of Shannon’s friends keep trying to make him a romantic interest for her. It will be very interesting to see how their relationship develops over the course of the series.

     The mystery itself is wonderful. There are enough suspects that show up over the course of the book to keep the reader guessing. Shannon’s approach to solving the case is very methodical.

     I am very caught up in Shannon’s life and look forward to seeing what comes next for her personal life. It will be interesting to see what the next mystery is that she and her friends the Purls of Hope knitting circle come across.

     I’m giving this wonderful book a rating of 5 stars. I am also highly recommending it.

Giveaway Information:

     Leave a comment on this post and you will be entered to win a copy of this fantastic book. Please include in your comment your email address so that I can contact you if you are the winner. Suggested format: debbie (at) yahoo (dot) com

     I will leave the giveaway open for one week. Next Tuesday, February 7, 2017, I will use Random.org to draw the winner. I will then send an email to the winner to get their mailing address. I will give that person 3 days to contact me before drawing another winner. I plan to mail the book out within 3 days of receiving the winner’s mailing address. After confirming the winner I will announce their name here in the comment section of this post.

     Good luck!