Hidden Hideaways by Cindy Bell

Last month, I listened to the unabridged audio version of Hidden Hideaways by Cindy Bell, which was well narrated by Sara Morsey. Hidden Hideaways by Cindy Bell is the fourth cozy mystery novel in the 'Dune House Series'.

Hidden Hideaways by Cindy Bell is a short, light listen and was another perfect pick after listening to Therese Raquin by Emile Zola. I adore cozy mystery novels! Hidden Hideaways was a really good cozy mystery novel. Not perfect, but good enough as a palate cleanser after listening to a heavier classic novel earlier in the month.

The storyline for Hidden Hideaways is fun, captivating, and to the point. I liked the main characters quite a bit. Hidden Hideaways has to be my favorite novella in the series. It contains more action, more red herrings, and more characters as suspects to choose from than the previous novellas in the series.

Below is the publisher's summary for Hidden Hideaways by Cindy Bell from Chirp's website:

Suzie and Mary are enjoying running the newly reopened Dune House, a stunning bed and breakfast on the beach. Their friendship has never been stronger. Mary is in her element using the skills she gained taking care of her family to ensure their guests have an unforgettable experience and Suzie’s relationship with Paul is flourishing.

But when Paul threatens a guest and then the guest is found dead, Paul becomes the prime murder suspect. But there is one problem. He has disappeared without a trace. Suzie believes that Paul is innocent and is worried that he is in grave danger so she starts her own investigation to find him and uncover the truth. 

It’s a race against the clock to find Paul before it’s too late! But is Paul really who Suzie thinks he is or has he deceived Suzie and been using her all along?

I am giving Hidden Hideaways by Cindy Bell a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars. 

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Treasured History by Cindy Bell

Last month, I listened to the unabridged audio version of Treasured History by Cindy Bell, which was well narrated by Sara Morsey. Treasured History by Cindy Bell is the third cozy mystery novel in the 'Dune House Series'. 

Treasured History by Cindy Bell is a short, light listen and was a perfect pick after listening to Therese Raquin by Emile Zola last month. I adore cozy mystery novels! Treasured History was a good cozy mystery novel. I enjoyed this cozy novella much better than the first two novellas in the series.

The storyline for Treasured History is fun and engaging. I liked the main characters quite a bit. It was also a bit more tricky to guess the killer this go around as there were more red herrings and characters to choose from than in the previous novellas.

Below is the publisher's summary for Treasured History by Cindy Bell from Chirp's website:

Dune House, a stunning old house right on the beach, is finally ready to be reopened as a bed and breakfast. Best friends, Suzie and Mary, are very excited that their hard work has paid off and the opening weekend has finally arrived. They are even more excited that they have guests booked in on opening day.

But before the B & B is officially opened Mary is distracted by a surprise guest and Suzie is distracted by her blossoming romance with Paul. When their guests do arrive they get more than they bargained for. Not only do they have to accommodate a very pretentious guest and an unusual guest but there is a problem with the plumbing.

Then someone is found murdered. With the reputation of Dune House to protect, Suzie and Mary want the murder solved quickly so they do a little investigating of their own to speed up the investigation.

What secrets does the history of Dune House hold that could lead to murder?

I am giving Treasured History by Cindy Bell a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Boats and Bad Guys by Cindy Bell

Last month, I listened to the unabridged audio version of Boats and Bad Guys by Cindy Bell, which was well narrated by Sara Morsey. Boats and Bad Guys by Cindy Bell is the second cozy mystery novel in the 'Dune House Series'.

Boats and Bad Guys by Cindy Bell is a short, light listen and was another perfect pick after listening to Therese Raquin by Emile Zola. I adore cozy mystery novels! Boats and Bad Guys was a decent cozy mystery novel. Not great, but good enough as a palate cleanser after listening to a heavier classic novel earlier in the month.

The storyline for Boats and Bad Guys is fun and to the point. I liked the main characters quite a bit. It was easy to guess the killer as there weren't that many characters in this book to begin with. It would have been nicer to have more characters and red herrings to keep a reader guessing as to whodunnit. At least there was more action to this novella than in Seaside Secrets.

Below is the publisher's summary for Boats and Bad Guys by Cindy Bell from Chirp's website:

Best friends, Suzie and Mary, are enjoying living together in Garber. They are settling into their new lives and are finalizing the renovations on the spectacular B & B on the beach. They find the perfect painting to decorate one of the rooms. It is painted by a local, young artist who committed suicide years earlier.

But then they find something hidden in the frame that piques their curiosity and they want to find out its significance. During their investigations they begin to believe that the artist of the painting did not commit suicide and they try to discover the truth. But there are two dangerous men who want the truth buried. With a storm brewing they overcome many obstacles on their journey to uncover the facts before the evidence is lost forever.

Will Suzie and Mary’s quest for adventure land them in danger? Will they discover the truth before the bad guys silence them? Is love between Suzie and the mysterious captain, Paul, on the horizon?

I am giving Boats and Bad Guys by Cindy Bell a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Seaside Secrets by Cindy Bell

 

Last month, I listened to the unabridged audio version of Seaside Secrets by Cindy Bell, which was well narrated by Sara Morsey. Seaside Secrets by Cindy Bell is the first cozy mystery novel in the 'Dune House Series'. 

Seaside Secrets by Cindy Bell is a short, light listen and was a perfect pick after listening to Therese Raquin by Emile Zola. I adore cozy mystery novels! Seaside Secrets was a decent cozy mystery novel. Not great, but good enough as a palate cleanser after listening to a heavier classic novel.

The storyline for Seaside Secrets is fun and to the point. I liked the main characters quite a bit. It was easy to guess the killer as there weren't that many characters in this book to begin with. It would have been nicer to have more characters and red herrings to keep a reader guessing as to whodunnit.

Below is the publisher's summary for Seaside Secrets by Cindy Bell from Chirp's website:

When Suzie inherits a neglected beach house from her estranged uncle, she and her best friend decide to restore the property to its former status as a charming bed-and-breakfast — but as they start renovations, evidence emerges of foul play in Suzie’s uncle’s death. Can they nail a killer before someone has deadly designs on their lives?

I am giving Seaside Secrets by Cindy Bell a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Letters by Lanternlight - Cozy Mysteries Via Letters - Subscription

 

Letters by Lanternlight sounds intriguing! I may end up adding this to my holiday wishlist this year.

As many of my followers may already know, I adore cozy mystery novels... When I learned about Letters by Lanternlight roughly two weeks ago, I was intrigued by the concept of a cozy mystery story told through a series of letters you receive in the mail!!

I love reading letters sent to me via the postal service. Written letters sent via the postal service is a dying art form and something I miss dearly. So, the idea of receiving a series of letters in the mail containing an unfolding cozy mystery story sounds like my cup of tea.

The following information comes from the Letters by Lanterlight website:

✨ Why Readers Love Letters by Lanternlight

📚 Fresh & immersive – A mystery you can hold in your hands, one letter at a time.
🎁 A gift that stands out – Thoughtful, unique, and never “just more stuff.”
🔎 Simple & inviting – Large, easy-to-read font and straightforward storytelling—no codes or puzzles required.
🕵️ Screen-free escape – Cozy stories delivered straight to your mailbox.
🐾 Connection & delight – Fun to share with loved ones (or enjoy with tea and a cat).
⏳ Savor the suspense – Stories unfold slowly, with built-in anticipation.

Does Letters by Lanternlight sound like something you'd enjoy? 

Savannah Sleuth by Alan Chaput

 

I listened to the unabridged audio version of Savannah Sleuth by Alan Chaput, which was nicely narrated by Allyson Ryan. In fact, Savannah Sleuth was my last read for the month of October.

I was able to download Savannah Sleuth by Alan Chaput for FREE from Chirp's website. Each week, Chirp Audiobooks offers a few free audiobooks for a limited time. 

Below is my honest, unbiased review for Savannah Sleuth by Alan Chaput.

Savannah Sleuth by Alan Chaput is the first novel in the 'Vigilantes For Justice' series. Based on the publisher's summary, I felt like Savannah Sleuth would be a good fit for me. It's a cozy mystery novel (I love cozy mysteries) set in Savannah, Georgia and the plot sounded intriguing enough for my taste.

However, Savannah Sleuth was a huge disappointment to me. I felt like there were way too many topics/bylines in this novel that received more attention than they should've. These side topics/bylines were too distracting. 

Additionally, the main character, Patricia Falcon, was too wimpy for someone who works with other women to help rescue badly abused women in Savannah, Georgia. Patricia seemed too emotionally fragile for this type of work. 

Speaking of rescuing abused women, Patricia Falcon and her crew only did one rescue of an abused woman at the start of the novel. After that, the rest of the novel was focused on other topics. If part of the novel's focus is to highlight the fact that Patricia and her crew rescue abused women, then I'd have liked to see more of that focused on in Savannah Sleuth rather then focusing on other nonessential bylines.

Savannah Sleuth also seems to fall into the Christian fiction genre as well. I don't have any specific beef with the Christian fiction genre. But Christian fiction isn't something I gravitate towards. There was too much talk about the church for me in this novel.

Below is the publisher's summary for Savannah Sleuth by Alan Chaput from Chirp's website:

Though born to heirloom pearls, designer dresses and lush garden parties, Savannah social icon Patricia Falcon and three of her closest friends spend their days in Savannah’s dark side rescuing abused women. Patricia’s darling mother, a prominent philanthropist, drops dead, and the police are baffled by her untimely death. Patricia recruits her three friends to help her investigate what she believes is murder. “Savannah Sleuth” is a page-turning journey from Savannah’s Southern wealth and grace into the hidden corners of Savannah and across two continents in a deadly pursuit of justice.

I am giving Savannah Sleuth by Alan Chaput a rating of 2 stars out of 5 stars. Needless to say, I won't continue reading the remaining novels in the 'Vigilantes For Justice' series.

Listening time for Savannah Sleuth by Alan Chaput is 8 hours, 14 minutes.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Death by a Thousand Sips by Gretchen Rue

 

In 2023, I listened to and reviewed Steeped to Death by Gretchen Rue, which is the first cozy mystery novel in the 'Witches Brew' Mysteries Series. I really enjoyed Steeped to Death by Gretchen Rue, which has now prompted me to listen to Death by a Thousand Sips by Gretchen Rue, which is the 2nd novel in the 'Witches Brew' Mysteries Series.

I absolutely loved listening to Death by a Thousand Sips by Gretchen Rue!! It's another winner in the 'Witches Brew' Mysteries Series and it is well narrated by Kristin Price. I now look forward to listening to the 3rd novel in this cozy mystery series sometime in the future.

The storyline, plot, characters, and writing are excellent for this novel. The pacing was great for this novel too... Not a dull moment to be had. 

I also enjoyed the recipe section at the end. Maybe I'll make a sourdough starter myself?

Below is the publisher's summary for Death by a Thousand Sips by Gretchen Rue from the Goodreads website:

Phoebe Winchester is back on the case in Raven Creek when a body is discovered at an estate sale in Gretchen Rue’s second book in the Witches’ Brew mystery series, perfect for fans of Laura Childs and Cleo Coyle.

Ever since she moved to Raven Creek, Washington, Phoebe Winchester knew she would have to grow accustomed to having a lot on her plate. She’s beginning to make the Victorian manor she inherited from her dear and adventurous Aunt Eudora feel more like home, successfully running the bookstore and tea shop, The Earl’s Study, and learning to harness her recently discovered magical powers. But when she discovers a dead body at an estate sale—even Phoebe wonders if this is simply too much.

Rumors of Phoebe’s involvement force her to take action; she needs to find the killer and clear her own name, once again. She enlists Rich Lofting, the handsome private detective and her childhood friend, in her investigation, all while she sorts out her unresolved feelings for him. Is there something more sinister lurking in the shadows of this small tight-knit town? And does Phoebe really want to find out?

With a dash of magic, a pinch of sleuthing skills, and a spoonful of friendly assistance, Phoebe needs to uncover the killer to keep Raven Creek safe once again. But if she doesn’t—will she find herself in even more hot water?

I am giving Death by a Thousand Sips by Gretchen Rue a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Murder at the Estate Sale by Lily Charles

 

I enjoy reading or listening to cozy mystery novels quite a bit. I have found myself in the mood for reading them this year in between listening to some of the nonfiction books I've already listened to earlier this year.

I listened to the unabridged audio version of Murder at the Estate Sale by Lily Charles, which is well narrated by Janet Metzger. Lily Charles is a new to me author and Murder at the Estate Sale is the first novel in the 'Molly & Emma Booksellers' series. Lily Charles also happens to be the pen name of writing duo Charlene Ball and Libby Ware.

I really enjoyed listening to Murder at the Estate Sale. As I already stated, this cozy mystery is well narrated by Janet Metzger. I loved the writing, the plot, and the two main characters, Molly and Emma. The entire premise of this novel revolving around two main, female characters, who are booksellers whom stumble across a murder at an estate sell in the first chapter was definitely a lure for me. Who can resist a book about books? 

Molly and Emma make a great team. They are opposites, yet have a lot in common, Emma is more shy/reserved and very organized, while Molly is less reserved and more of a fly by the seat of ones pants kinda of woman. Both women are very smart and knowledgeable about books and the topic/subject of the occult.

Occultism/occult books plays a large part of the plot/storyline for Murder at the Estate Sale. In fact, the start of each chapter begins with a specific book title being mentioned. Each of the books mentioned falls into the occult genre and is simply highlighted at the start of each chapter.

As I mentioned earlier, the writing is excellent for Murder at the Estate Sale. I enjoyed the storyline very much and how the plot unfolded. Whodunnit was a surprise for me as there was a twist at the end of the novel. I don't like guessing whodunnit too early on in a novel. But being surprised by a plot twist is even better! I liked this novel.

Below is the publisher's summary for Murder at the Estate Sale by Lily Charles, which I discovered on the author's website:

When Molly O’Donnell, long-time antiquarian bookseller, and Emma Clarke, new to bookselling, meet at an estate sale, they are both there for the books. But Emma hears a cry, ignores a “Do Not Enter” sign, and discovers the dead body of notorious book thief Buck Hubbell in the basement. She calls Molly, who joins her and finds a slip of paper with a warning written in Elizabethan script that hints at black magic.

Adventurous Molly and cautious Emma seek to discover who murdered Buck and to unlock the meaning of the mysterious note. Their search leads them to a hidden library full of occult books. Suspects abound among booksellers and practitioners of the black arts. Attracted to each other yet wary of involvement, Molly and Emma create an alliance to get to the bottom of the warning note, find a missing book of spells—and solve a murder.

I am giving Murder at the Estate Sale by Lily Charles a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Secret Agent Granny Cozy Mystery Series - Books 1-3 Mini Review

I enjoy reading cozy mystery novels every now and again. 

Recently, I'd finished reading a few nonfiction books and decided I needed a change of pace. Cozy, mystery novels make for fun, light reading. So, I listened to the first three cozy mystery novels in the 'Secret Agent Granny' cozy mystery series by Harper Lin. Harper Lin is not a new to me author. I've enjoyed a couple of her previous books and reviewed them here on my blog. 

I'm glad I decided to give the first three novels in the 'Secret Agent Granny' a try as they were a delight to read. I listened to the unabridged audio versions of Granny's Got a Gun, Granny Undercover, and Granny Strikes Back. All three novels are short, quick fun reads. I enjoyed the writing, the humor, the characters, and the storyline. I especially loved the main character, Barbara Gold, who is a 70 year old retired CIA agent and is feisty as heck. Barbara is a widow and she lives in a small town to be closer to her son, daughter-in-law, and grandson. Barbara is trying to stave off boredom and in the process stumbles upon crimes that need to be solved.

If you're into fun, light, cozy mystery reads, then the 'Secret Agent Granny' cozy mystery series may be for you. As of this writing, there are 11 books in the series. I haven't decided quite yet if I will continue with the series or not as I have so many books in my 'tbr' pile as it is right now.

I am giving all three novels a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

A Nutcracker Nightmare by Christina Romeril

 

I listened to the unabridged audio version of A Nutcracker Nightmare by Christina Romeril, which is narrated by Rebecca Gallagher. It's the second cozy novel in the 'A Killer Chocolate Mystery' series.

This is another enjoyable cozy mystery novel with a wintry/Christmas theme to it. I also enjoyed the high school class reunion theme as the setting where the murder takes place! It was the perfect setting for knocking off that one classmate from high school that was a jerk and whom everyone despised. So, when this particular classmate is murdered at the reunion, it's makes it difficult to narrow down the killer when everyone disliked the person so much. Then another victim is killed along the way as well. 

Loads of red herrings to be found and some good amateur sleuthing too by the main character, Alex. Once again though, I figured out the killer early on... I'd say about 84% into the novel itself is when I figured out who killed both victims in A Nutcracker Nightmare!

For the most part I enjoyed this cozy mystery novel overall. It was nice to have a refresher as to who some of the characters were from the last novel that were also in this novel as well as some of the background of the small town/village where the story is set. This way readers who read the first novel a while back have a chance to become reacquainted again with the characters and setting as they read the second novel. 

I didn't care much for the narrator for A Nutcracker Nightmare. The voices Rebecca Gallagher used for some of the characters weren't well rendered in my opinion. 

I also felt like Alex, the main character, was off in a few scenes. Alex plays amateur sleuth and in at least one scene she just peppers another character with one question after another in trying to find clues to in order to help identify the killer. The scene(s) felt stilted/unnatural as to how two people would interact in really life.

Below is the publisher's summary for A Nutcracker Nightmare by Christina Romeril from the Goodreads website:

When twin sisters Hanna and Alex head to their high school reunion, will they bite off more than they can chew when they find a former classmate’s dead body?

Hanna and Alex, owners of the Murder and Mayhem book and chocolate shop, are busy preparing for the Harriston High School’s reunion weekend. They’re eager to see old friends—and perhaps avoid old foes. One person they can’t avoid is Kyle, the former star quarterback, who is busy using his entire playbook to try and score with Hanna. He even uses his status as a judge at the upcoming chocolate competition to threaten her if she doesn’t play nice. At the reunion, the twins soon bond with their fellow classmates over their nostalgia of their youth—but the party is put on hold when Alex finds the dead body of none other than Kyle himself, bludgeoned to death by a nutcracker that the sisters admired earlier in the night.

Hanna quickly becomes the prime suspect—everyone saw her slap Kyle across the face at the reunion dance. She’ll need her sister, their sleuthing canine, Watson, and their old friends and colleagues to help break this case wide open. While looking through old yearbooks and taking a stroll down memory lane, Alex uncovers a few secrets about Kyle, now, it seems like everyone had a motive to kill him: Is there a football team secret Coach Fenton was covering up? Could the mayor, Everett, have a skeleton or two in his closet? And for some classmates, maybe time doesn’t heal all wounds.

When the suspects start becoming the victims, Alex and Hannah know that they can’t melt under the pressure—they must find the killer before they become just another yearbook memory.

I am giving A Nutcracker Nightmare by Christina Romeril a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

A Christmas Candy Killing by Christina Romeril

 

I love reading cozy mystery novels! With it being the month of December and so close to the Christmas holiday, I decided to listen to the unabridged audio version of A Christmas Candy Killing by Christina Romeril, which was well narrated by Bernadette Dunne.

A Christmas Candy Killing by Christina Romeril is the first cozy mystery in the 'A Killer Chocolate Mystery' series. I have the second novel in the series, A Nutcracker Nightmare, downloaded and ready to listen to and enjoy next! Cozy mysteries are great for fun, relatively quick, and lightweight reads this time of the year when we're all so busy with everyday life and preparing for the holiday season.

I enjoyed listening to A Christmas Candy Killing. It's a cozy mystery, features chocolate, a mystery bookstore, is tied to Christmas, and is a fun read. What's not to like?

I liked the storyline, plot twists, pacing, and the characters for A Christmas Candy Killing. There seemed to be quite a few characters to initially remember and keep straight, but nothing too burdensome to handle. I did figure out who the killer was long before the identity was revealed to readers due to the clues mentioned throughout the novel. 

I did like A Christmas Candy Killing. And as I already mentioned, I look forward to listening to the second novel.

Below is the publisher's summary for A Christmas Candy Killing by Christina Romeril from the Goodreads website:

Identical twin sisters Alex and Hannah are the owners of Murder and Mayhem, a mystery bookshop that sells their famous poison-themed Killer Chocolates. But now, there’s a real killer in their midst. Shortly before Christmas, their septuagenarian neighbor, Jane, confides to Alex that a murderer from a true-crime show has taken up residence in the village. Unfortunately, she’s also shared her suspicions with town gossip Netta. The next morning, Alex shows up at Jane’s house to watch the show, but instead she discovers Jane's body, with a box of Killer Chocolates nearby. The sheriff quickly zeroes in on two Alex, a beneficiary in Jane’s will, and Zack, a handyman who was seen leaving the crime scene. But Alex maintains her innocence and sets out to draft a list of other potential suspects―townsfolk who’d recently been seen arguing with Jane. When Alex gets hold of Jane’s journal, she begins to understand the truth. But a bearer of ill tidings is arriving early this year―and Alex just might not make it to Christmas.

I am giving A Christmas Candy Killing by Christina Romeril a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Happy National Cozy Mystery Day!!

 

Do you have a favorite cozy mystery series?

Steeped to Death by Gretchen Rue

 

I am a cozy mystery novel fan! I was delighted to discover the unabridged audio version of Steeped to Death by Gretchen Rue via Chirp for a deeply discounted price. Gretchen Rue is a new to me author and Steeped to Death is the first novel in the Witches' Brew Mysteries series. 

The storyline for Steeped to Death sounded like a fun read, so I figured why not give it a try. I wasn't disappointed with Steeped to Death by Gretchen Rue as it had all the elements I like in reading cozy mysteries... A fun amateur sleuth, an orange tabby cat (or any other furbaby would work), a witch, and a used bookstore with tea and pastry shop enclosed! Not to mention delicious sounding recipes I look forward to trying in the future. I look forward to reading the next book in this series titled, Death by a Thousand Sips.

P. S. I do love the cover artwork for this novel!

Below is the publisher's summary for Steeped to Death by Gretchen Rue I discovered via Chirp's website:

Phoebe Winchester’s beloved Aunt Eudora has a taste for adventure—and a knack for making magical tea. It’s even rumored that she just might be a witch. So when Eudora passes away and leaves everything to her niece—her Victorian mansion, her bookshop/tea store The Earl’s Study, and one very chubby orange cat named Bob—Phoebe gets more than she bargained for. And she knows she’s in deep when a dead man is found on the shop’s back step, apparently killed while trying to break in. Two suspects immediately emerge among the townspeople of Raven Creek, Washington. There’s village busybody Dierdre Miller, who seems desperate to buy Eudora’s house, and handsome PI Rich, one of Phoebe’s childhood friends—but how well does she really know him after all these years apart? Phoebe knows she should leave it to the professionals, but as she starts to dig into the underbelly of Raven Creek, she begins to uncover the truth about Eudora. What’s more, her aunt might not have been the only witch in the family: Phoebe soon discovers she has unique and unexpected gifts of her own. Now it’s just a matter of putting her newfound power to the test and casting a spell that could catch a killer.

I am giving Steeped to Death by Gretchen Rue a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Mimi Lee Cracks the Code by Jennifer J. Chow

Mimi Lee Cracks the Code by Jennifer J. Chow is the third cozy mystery installment in the 'A Sassy Cat Mystery' series. I listened to the unabridged audio version of this cozy mystery novel, which was narrated by Natalie Naudus. 

I really enjoyed the first novel in the 'A Sassy Cat Mystery' series, so I went ahead and purchased the audio versions for the next two novels in the series from Chirp Audiobooks.

I wish I could say that I loved Mimi Lee Cracks the Code as much as I did the first novel in the series. Mimi Lee Cracks the Code is a decent read, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I had hoped I would. The side story of Mimi Lee and her boyfriend having a fight and not getting along was a minor distraction I could have done without. Plus, the storyline and other characters were not as captivating. 

At this point in time, I doubt I'll continue reading any future novels from 'A Sassy Cat Mystery' series. Too many other cozy mystery novels and other books out there to captivate my attention.

Below is the plot summary for Mimi Lee Cracks the Code by Jennifer J. Chow from Chirp's website:

When murder follows Mimi Lee to her romantic island getaway, she puts on her best sleuthing hat with her sassy cat in tow in this adventurous cozy mystery by Jennifer J. Chow.

Mimi Lee just found an extra perk to being a pet groomer at Hollywoof (other than cuddling animals all day long, that is). Pixie St. James, one of Mimi’s clients and also the investor behind Hollywoof, has offered her and her boyfriend, Josh, a weekend getaway at her vacation home, nestled on the beautiful Catalina Island. Arriving just outside of Los Angeles but still far enough from the hustle and bustle, Mimi, Josh, and their cat Marshmallow (who, of course, wouldn’t be caught dead in a dingy pet hotel) are excited about their relaxing weekend at the island.

That is, until Pixie’s last renter, Davis D. Argo, turns up dead. Mimi and Josh’s romantic getaway immediately turns into an enormous buzzkill, especially when Pixie asks Mimi for help. The police suspect Pixie, and Mimi knows a thing or two about wrongful allegations. Mimi figures it couldn’t hurt to snoop a little since she’s already there, and soon discovers that a valuable item is missing. Except Pixie isn’t the only one in the neighborhood who has been robbed. There is something strange happening on the island, and Mimi won’t stop until she finds out what it is.

I'm giving Mimi Lee Cracks the Code by Jennifer J. Chow a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Mimi Lee Reads Between the Lines by Jennifer J. Chow

Back in 2021, I read and reviewed the first cozy mystery novel in 'A Sassy Cat Mystery' series by Jennifer J. Chow titled, Mimi Gets A Clue. I really enjoyed reading the first novel in this new cozy mystery series and gave it a 4.5 star out of 5 star rating.

In July of this year, I finally listened to the unabridged audio version of Mimi Lee Reads Between the Lines by Jennifer J. Chow and narrated by Natalie Naudus. This is the second novel in 'A Sassy Cat Mystery' series. I wanted to love Mimi Lee Reads Between the Lines as much as I did the first novel in the series. But Mimi Lee Reads Between the Lines wasn't as engrossing as the first novel in the series. The writing was decent for Mimi Lee Reads Between the Lines, but the characters and plot weren't as engaging to me this time around. Plus, the narration for this novel wasn't that stellar either. 

Below is the plot summary for Mimi Lee Reads Between the Lines by Jennifer J. Chow from Chirp's website:

When a local teacher is found dead, Los Angeles’s newest pet groomer Mimi Lee finds herself in a predicament—with her younger sister’s livelihood on the line.

Mimi Lee is on top of the world. She has a thriving pet grooming business, the sweetest boyfriend, and a talking cat to boot. When she arrives at the elementary school where her sister Alice works, she is expecting a fun girls’ night out—but instead finds a teacher slumped over in her car, dead.

Alice was the last one to see Helen Reed, which instantly marks her as the prime suspect. Unable to sit quietly and let the authorities walk all over her sister, Mimi starts snooping and talks to Helen’s closest contacts, including one jumpy principal, a two-faced fiancé, and three sketchy teachers. With the help of her sassy but savvy cat, Marshmallow, and a cute kitten named Nimbus, Mimi must race against time to get to the bottom of yet another case before her sister gets jailed.

I am giving Mimi Lee Reads Between the Lines by Jennifer J. Chow a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

The Corpse in the Cabana (Viola Roberts Cozy Mysteries #1) by Shéa MacLeod

 

As I have earnestly, confessed in several previous blog posts, I enjoy reading a well written cozy mystery novel... And, I'm always on the look out for new to me cozy mystery authors and cozy mystery series to read. With this in mind, I decided to read The Corpse in the Cabana (Viola Roberts Cozy Mysteries #1) by Shéa MacLeod.

I was able to download the ebook edition of The Corpse in the Cabana (Viola Roberts Cozy Mysteries #1) by Shéa MacLeod from Amazon to my iPad for FREE. Below is my honest, unbiased review of this cozy mystery novel.

I thought The Corpse in the Cabana (Viola Roberts Cozy Mysteries #1) by Shéa MacLeod was a decent read. I liked the storyline and characters for this cozy novel. The main character, Viola Roberts, is a feisty, funny, middle-aged, historical romance novelist attending a writers conference in Florida with her best friend and fellow writer, Cheryl. 

Near the start of The Corpse in the Cabana (Viola Roberts Cozy Mysteries #1) by Shéa MacLeod, Viola discovers the murdered body of fellow writer, Natasha Winters, in a cabana. Natasha Winters is hugely successful as a writer, but is not beloved by other writers due to her personality. 

Both Viola and Cheryl become prime suspects along with a few other suspects. However, Viola decides to take matters into her own hands to solve this murder. She wants to clear herself and Cheryl from being falsely accused by the authorities for a murder neither of them committed. Viola is thorough in sussing out the murderer and she also seems to be a bit of a control freak/busybody, in my opinion. A lot of twists and turns occur in this novel as well as a second murder.

Overall, The Corpse in the Cabana (Viola Roberts Cozy Mysteries #1) by Shéa MacLeod was a good read. Not perfect by any means, but good enough to pass the time. The biggest disappointment was the ending... The murder suspect and the reasoning for the murders wasn't that complicated. So, I found it difficult to believe the police detective in charge of this case would be so inept that he couldn't solve the case on his own. Additionally, the reason for the first murder was a weak one. I'll pass on reading other novels in the 'Viola Roberts Cozy Mysteries' series in the future.

Below is the summary for The Corpse in the Cabana (Viola Roberts Cozy Mysteries #1) by Shéa MacLeod from Goodreads:

Sassy, snarky Viola Roberts quit her boring accountant job to pursue her dream of writing novels, even if it meant eating ramen noodles every day. Now that her career has taken off, she’s headed to a writers’ conference at an exotic Florida resort complete with white sand beaches and swaying palm trees where she plans to lounge in the shade drinking frosty beverages with little umbrellas. And, of course, no sojourn to tropical climes would be complete without her boozy, wise-cracking best friend, Cheryl. When Viola discovers the diva of the author world dead (as a doornail) of unnatural causes, the police immediately consider Viola their prime suspect. But when the head detective turns a gimlet eye on Viola’s best friend, the author has had enough! Along with help from hunky fellow writer, Lucas Salvatore, Viola is determined to ascertain who killed the corpse in the cabana before she, or Cheryl, wind up in jail. Or worse.

I am giving The Corpse in the Cabana (Viola Roberts Cozy Mysteries #1) by Shéa MacLeod a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

Peril In Pensacola by Lucy Quinn

 

I read the ebook edition of Peril In Pensacola by Lucy Quinn for FREE. 

Below is my honest, unbiased review for Peril In Pensacola by Lucy Quinn.

Peril In Pensacola by Lucy Quinn is a cozy mystery novel and the first book in the 'Accidentally Undercover Mysteries'.

I liked all of the characters for this cozy mystery novel. Additionally, the plot premise for this cozy mystery novel was well done and engaging as the main character, Dora Winslow, is an accountant and discovers her employer is money laundering. When her boss finds out she knows about the money laundering, things go south fast! 

The next thing Dora knows is that she's on the run to prove her innocence with the help of her best friend, Evie, Evie's dog, Sunshine, and a few other soon to be friends along the way. There are a lot of fun twists and turns along the way as both Dora and Evie get into trouble along the way, of course!

The ending for Peril In Pensacola by Lucy Quinn was a complete disappointment!! The ending was a cliffhanger and ended abruptly. So many things were left unfinished that needed to be wrapped up. I will not read the rest of the 'Accidentally Undercover Mysteries' series for this reason.

Below is a summary for Peril In Pensacola by Lucy Quinn from Amazon:

Dora Winslow is having a hard day. Not only does she stumble upon a money laundering scheme, but the next thing she knows her boss is dead. As the prime suspect for his murder, she goes to Brian, a police officer she trusts. She soon learns things aren’t adding up because Brian’s got a mysterious scheme of his own.

With her best friend, Evie by her side, Dora is on the run. But before they can leave town to secure the evidence that could clear her name, she has to bring Brian down. With help from a hot chef, a friendly mailman, and a little white dog, Dora and Evie must balance the scales to save their bottom line.

I am giving Peril In Pensacola by Lucy Quinn a rating of 2 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!!

Mimi Gets A Clue by Jennifer J. Chow

ARC Paperback Copy

I received an Advanced Readers Copy of Mimi Gets A Clue by Jennifer J. Chow for FREE through the Goodreads Giveaways Program.

Below is my honest, unbiased review of Mimi Gets A Clue by Jennifer J. Chow.

Jennifer J. Chow is a new to me author. As I've mentioned in previous posts, I enjoy reading a nicely written cozy mystery novel/series. So, I was thrilled to read Mimi Gets A Clue by Jennifer J. Chow. Mimi Gets A Clue also happens to be the first cozy mystery novel in 'A Sassy Cat Mystery' series.

I truly enjoyed reading Mimi Gets A Clue! The writing is captivating, the storyline and characters are fun, and I liked all of the red herrings as to the killer's identity. I'm looking forward to reading the second cozy novel in 'A Sassy Cat Mystery' series titled, Mimi Lee Reads Between the Lines.

The following is a plot summary for Mimi Gets A Clue by Jennifer J. Chow from Amazon:

Nominated for a Lefty Award!

Mimi Lee is in over her head. There's her new Los Angeles pet grooming shop to run, her matchmaking mother to thwart, her talking cat Marshmallow to tend to—oh, and the murder of a local breeder to solve...now if only Mimi hadn't landed herself on top of the suspect list.

Mimi Lee hoped to give Los Angeles animal lovers something to talk about with her pet grooming shop, Hollywoof. She never imagined that the first cat she said hello to would talk back or be quite so, well, catty—especially about those disastrous dates Mimi's mother keeps setting up.

When Marshmallow exposes local breeder Russ Nolan for mistreating Chihuahuas, Mimi steals some of her cat's attitude to tell Russ off. The next day the police show up at Hollywoof. Russ has been found dead, and Mimi's shouting match with him has secured her top billing as the main suspect.

Hoping to clear her name and save the pups Russ left behind, Mimi enlists help from her dreamy lawyer neighbor Josh. But even with Josh on board, it'll take Mimi and Marshmallow a lot of sleuthing and more than a little sass to get back to the pet-grooming life—and off the murder scene.

I am giving Mimi Gets A Clue by Jennifer J. Chow a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

The Spirit is Willing (Ophelia Wylde Paranormal Mystery #2) by Max McCoy

 

I love a good cozy mystery novel! And The Spirit is Willing (Ophelia Wylde Paranormal Mystery #2) by Max McCoy sounded like a good fit for me as it is not only a cozy mystery novel, but also mixes the paranormal element to it and is set during the 1800s for a historical fiction vibe too.

I liked the main character of Ophelia Wylde as she is no nonsense and is psychic. She is a widow, use to be con artist and does dress in men's clothing, which is unusual for the times. I also like a few of the other minor characters as well.

The writing is decent overall for The Spirit is Willing (Ophelia Wylde Paranormal Mystery #2) by Max McCoy. Initially, I thought this cozy mystery novel started off kind of rocky as the first few chapters left me wondering where it was headed. The focus seemed to be on a variety of different characters and events that seemed to be unrelated to each other, however things changed several chapters in and the novel became more cohesive.

Below is a summary for The Spirit is Willing (Ophelia Wylde Paranormal Mystery #2) by Max McCoy from Amazon:

In the Old West, murder is a way of life. But psychic detective Ophelia Wylde is dealing out her own brand of justice by talking to the victims . . . after they’re dead.

Ghost In The Machine

It’s one of the strangest trials in Colorado history. A “spirit photographer” is accused of fraud, and Ophelia Wylde agrees to examine the man’s ghostly portraits and testify in court. In a sealed room, she is presented with five photographs. Four are obvious fakes. But one photo—featuring a powerful politician, Jackson Miles, with a sorrowful ghost in chains behind his shoulder—is the real McCoy. When Ophelia makes contact, the spirit is in such agony that she’s unable to learn anything but his name: Angus Wright. Intrigued, Ophelia sets out to learn more about the wronged Mr. Wright and discovers he was murdered nearly twenty years ago during the Gold Rush. The politician is somehow involved, and Ophelia has to watch her step. Because the living are much more dangerous than the dead . . .

I am giving The Spirit is Willing (Ophelia Wylde Paranormal Mystery #2) by Max McCoy a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

Death at Wentwater Court (Daisy Dalrymple #1) by Carola Dunn

 

I listened to the unabridged audio version of Death at Wentwater Court (Daisy Dalrymple #1) by Carola Dunn and narrated by Bernadette Dunne.

Carola Dunn is a new to me author this year despite the fact that she's been a published author for decades. Death at Wentwater Court (Daisy Dalrymple #1) by Carola Dunn is a cozy mystery novel and was published in 1994. Death at Wentwater Court is also the first novel in the Daisy Dalrymple series. There are a total of 23 novels in the Daisy Dalrymple series, which is quite a long lived cozy mystery series if you ask me!

I really enjoyed listening to Death at Wentwater Court (Daisy Dalrymple #1) by Carola Dunn. It wasn't a perfect read by any means, but fun and engaging nonetheless. The writing and characters are good. I liked that this novel was set in Englad during the 1920s... And of course, the narrator, Bernadette Dunne, gave a spectatcular reading of this cozy mystery novel.

Listening time for Death at Wentwater Court (Daisy Dalrymple #1) by Carola Dunn is 6 hours, 34 minutes.

Below is the summary for Death at Wentwater Court (Daisy Dalrymple #1) by Carola Dunn from Amazon:

More than twenty years ago, Carola Dunn introduced to the world the charming, vivacious and perspicacious Daisy Dalrymple and the tumultuous decade of the 1920s, in an England barely starting to recover from World War I and now undergoing rapid social changes.

In early 1923, the young Honourable Daisy Dalrymple has made a decision that shocks her social class-instead of living in the Dower House with her mother and being supported by her relatives, she's decided to make her own living as a writer. Landing an assignment for Town & Country to write a series of articles on country manor houses, Daisy travels to Wentwater Court to research her first piece. There she finds a household in turmoil, filled with holiday guests and recriminations. But that's nothing compared to the uproar when one of those guests drowns in a tragic early-morning skating "accident." When it is learned that this was anything but accidental, Scotland Yard is called in and a young Chief Inspector, one Alec Fletcher, is called in to investigate. And therein hangs a tale...

A series with all the charm of the classic golden age mysteries with the kind of full-blooded, three dimensional characters that define the best of modern mystery, the Daisy Dalrymple mysteries have been a favorite for more than two decades. Now, with this reissue, readers can enjoy it from the very beginning.

I am giving Death at Wentwater Court (Daisy Dalrymple #1) by Carola Dunn a rating 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!