Tag Archives: Cozy mystery

Fresh Brewed Murder by Emmeline Duncan

July 24, 2025Book ReviewContemporary, Cozy mystery, Emmeline Duncan, Food, Ground Rules Mysteryskyebjenner

Title: Fresh Brewed Murder
Author: Emmeline Duncan
Series: Ground Rules Mystery #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Cozy mystery, Food
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

I had absolutely no idea what to expect from this book – I’ve never read anything by Emmeline Duncan, and I really only read this for the Popsugar 2025 Reading Challenge. And boy am I glad that I did, I pretty much read this from cover to cover and loved every single minute of it. There was something fun and light about it, even whilst dealing with murder and mayhem. The fact that this cozy mystery also centred on coffee in a lot of ways just made it all that much better. I freaking love coffee, and I seriously enjoyed the process of creating and making throughout. Duncan has such an attention to detail within this, and it was just absolutely fantastic and drool-inducing.

One of the aspects of this cozy mystery that I absolutely adored was the detail which Duncan was able to impart throughout. She created this world and structure to her story that you are plunged into immediately. Then, as the story unfolds, you get drawn deeper and deeper into the world of coffee and a fledgling food truck business. I could almost smell all the different foods in the Rail Yard. I know that the focus of the story is really the mystery aspect, but I definitely focused in on the food aspect a whole lot.

I loved how, throughout this, there are so many Red Herrings. The murderer could have literally been any one of a number of characters within the Rail Yard. Not only was the victim someone who had wronged or annoyed a number of those characters, then there’s Sage’s family and all of the complications there. I was not really sure who the villain was going to be right up until the reveal. Duncan just did such a brilliant job at entangling literally everything, so that it was almost impossible to figure out what was actually going to happen. Which is probably why I just adored reading this cozy mystery so much – I just couldn’t guess what was going to happen next.

This would’ve been an amazing story without the complications of Sage’s family. But there are so many more nuances and hints of more complications and horrors in the future. I mean, Sage’s Mum is quite possibly insane, and I have a feeling that there will be more surprises in the shape of Gabby in the future. I may be wrong, but I love that there is so much potential layered into this story, what a brilliant way to start off a series! I can’t wait to dive in again and read more!

<- More Emmeline Duncan

Double Shot Death ->

Image source: Kobo

Better Haunts and Garden Gnomes by Michelle M. Pillow

May 30, 2025Book Review(Un)lucky Valley, Cozy mystery, Magic, Michelle M. Pillow, Paranormal Romanceskyebjenner

Title: Better Haunts and Garden Gnomes
Author: Michelle M. Pillow
Series: (Un)lucky Valley #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Cozy mystery, Magic, Paranormal romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

Better Haunts and Garden Gnomes is a great start to the Goode Witches curse and the story of (Un)Lucky Valley. What I took to be a simple cozy mystery and continuation of the antics of Aunt Polly and the Happily Everlasting series is really the beginning of a whole heap of new complications. It is still entirely written in the same vein. However, there is less of the happily ever after romance within the story, and so much more dark secrets that aren’t quite resolved. I feel like this whole series is going to uncover secret after secret, and I for one can’t wait.

It was kind of hard to guess who the villain in this story was going to be. I mean, there’s literally a whole town that hates this family and wants them gone. I didn’t quite guess who it was going to be. There is a whole lot of previously unknown history in the creation of the villain though, and I absolutely adored this fact. I mean, how could you not? Not only does it create a more textured world, but in getting to know the villain throughout the story, you realise that sometimes good people can be seriously misled and do some truly rotten things. Plus, it’s fun that Lily just decides to forgive and take everyone under her wing, even when they are being horridly cruel to her.

Pillow doesn’t hesitate to highlight the different ways in which growing up with a parent who is mentally ill and abusive can leave children with. Each of the siblings handle the untethering and feelings of abandonment differently, and I love that it is a constant working progress for Lily in particular, mostly because she’s the centre point of this story. And yet, when there is the ability to become bitter, she is still supportive and hopeful for a family and place to call their own for herself and her siblings. Plus, she’s incredibly intelligent and stubborn enough to figure out how to get around all of the restrictions and such that are placed upon her.

Then there is Nolan. He starts out as a potential villain but ends up being a great love interest. And ultimately a total sweetie. I also love that his entire job is to try and write up city citations against paranormals in an entirely mundane way. The different citations that are mentioned throughout this story most definitely had me smiling and laughing throughout. Honestly, a lot of this had me smiling and laughing. Aunt Polly in particular is still a favourite with her skewed version of reality and the different ways in which she wants to support the Goode siblings. Even if, at one point, it ends up with Dante being off his face drunk and rolling on the ground…

<- More Michelle M. Pillow

Any Witch Way But Goode ->

Image source: Kobo

Baking Bad by Kim M. Watt

March 15, 2025Book ReviewBeaufort Scales Mystery, Cozy mystery, Dragons, Kim M. Wattskyebjenner

Title: Baking Bad
Author: Kim M. Watt
Series: Beaufort Scales Mystery #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Cozy mystery, Dragons
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

I absolutely adore cozy mysteries. There is something about them that is such a fun and enjoyable diversion. Particularly in this world that is insane and incredibly intense. The fact that this is a well-written cozy mystery with dragons was going to pull me in far more deeply. And then there’s the fact that the Women’s Institution are absolutely obsessed with tea and cake. This is definitely not the book that you should be reading on an empty stomach. Or without tea and cake at hand to enjoy the high jinx and nonsense that the cast manage to get up to.

Throughout the entirety of this story, I could not stop smiling and giggling. Every single chapter was hilarious and I honestly could not stop laughing. I mean, not only are there meddling, pint-sized dragons who can’t stop getting involved and irritating the cops involved in the murder. But Alice and Miriam can’t stop there nosy meddling ways either. The fact that Miriam and Alice are elder women with complex pasts who will try anything just made it all that funnier. A young detective comes to a small town expecting to easily solve a murder, but then has to deal with the nonsense that Alice brings along to the table.

I could honestly spend this whole review reflecting on how much I love and was entertained by the WI and their shenanigans. Not one of them is a meek elderly lady who is easily led. Rather, they all have opinions, they all want to help. And even the more clueless of them seem to just get under foot and cause havoc and chaos. I honestly found DI Adams trying to deal with their nonsense and figure out just how the hell to solve a mystery in a small town to be one of the most hilarious things I’ve read in a while. It was such a subtle and English humour running through the words. And I couldn’t put them down.

Even though there are hints as to who the real villain was from the beginning, I didn’t actually guess who it was. In hindsight it is incredibly obvious. Partly this is because Watt was incredibly good at providing Red Herrings and misleading you throughout. But it was also in great part to the fact that I couldn’t stop laughing at the shenanigans. I didn’t even necessarily care who committed the murder throughout most of the story. I just wanted to see what awkward position Beaufort, Montgomery, Alice and Miriam would find themselves in next. Which, of course, just makes me want to dive into Yule Be Sorry all that much more.

<- The Tales of Beautfort Scales

Yule Be Sorry ->

Image source: bol

Everybody Wants to Rune the World by Mandy M. Roth

March 11, 2025Book ReviewBewitchingly Ever After, Cozy mystery, Mandy M. Roth, Paranormal Fantasy, Paranormal Romanceskyebjenner

Title: Everybody Wants to Rune the World
Author: Mandy M. Roth
Series: Bewitchingly Ever After #2
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Cozy mystery, Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

Everybody Wants to Rune the World is a great little cozy mystery and paranormal romance. Sigmund and Virginia are an entertaining couple that keep avoiding the obvious. But, they are also a simple read and a great diversion when you’re needing something happy and easy to read. I tend to love Roth’s writing for just this reason – there is enough action that I want to see what high jinx are going to happen next. But not so much that I get angsty and can’t put the book down.

I love that this story actually starts 16 months earlier, when Sigmund actually realises that Virginia is his fated mate. But is then filled with so much self doubt that he refuses to act on it. It gives constant entertainment to the town of Bewitching, and makes the two act like, well, absolute fools. Particularly Sigmund, he’s a big, scary kraken shifter who is scared to talk to the woman that he loves. Which of course just confuses the heck out of Virginia, and makes the townsfolk laugh at the shenanigans. Constantly and with much mirth.

Once Petey finally gets involved with Sigmund’s inability to actually make a move, I love that Virginia is able to just dive right in with both feet. Rather than continuing to hesitate (as she has done for the previous 16 months), she chooses to embrace the marriage that Petey officiated and start to chase the poor, ignorant shifter. Sometimes men just need a bit of a shove, and her confidence in doing this made me laugh out loud. The fact that it quickly gets rid of the potential love triangle emotional entanglement just made it all that much better.

I must admit, I did guess who the villain of the story was and the one who was starting to hunt Virginia. I mean, he’s effectively set up as the anti-Sig way too well. And, it makes so much more sense and fun to have any potential barriers to their future relationship nipped in the bud. I also love that, in dealing with the villain and threat to Virginia, Sigmund is able to finally embrace his kraken side and regain confidence in himself and his newfound abilities.

All in all, Everybody Wants to Rune the World is an incredibly cute and fun read that I will probably open up again. It was a great journey and fun diversion, and I’m hoping that Roth revisits the world of Bewitching again and again. There is just something fun and super chaotic about the whole town that is irreplaceable and unforgettably joyful.

<- Don’t Stop Bewitching

Do You Really Want to Haunt Me? ->

Image source: Mandy Roth

Don’t Stop Bewitching by Mandy M. Roth

December 3, 2024Book ReviewBewitchingly Ever After, Cozy mystery, Mandy M. Roth, Paranormal Fantasy, Paranormal Romanceskyebjenner

Title: Don’t Stop Bewitching
Author: Mandy M. Roth
Series: Bewitchingly Ever After #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Cozy mystery, Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

Curt was such a fun character in Once Hunted, Twice Shy, he was a great best friend to Hugh and a lovely side character. Plus, since I’ve read both of the Everlasting and Bewitchingly series out of order, I also wanted to know how Missi’s family were all cursed. Thus, Don’t Stop Bewitching was a fantastic adventure to go on that filled in some of the gaps. And then, you know, there’s the fact that we get to revisit Sig and get hints at his own happily ever after. All wonderful little adventures in this very cute cozy mystery story.

Missi is a fantastic counterpoint to Curt’s up-tight, buttoned ways. She’s gorgeous and I love that she’s quite happily her own soul. In a world where conformity is sometimes safer, she’s not succumbing to anyone’s expectations or rules. It’s always nice to read about female characters like this – those that march to the beat of their own drum. And, ultimately find their own happily ever after (in whatever form that may take) being just who they are and who they want to be.

The majority of this story isn’t actually based on the romance of the two lead characters. Rather, it follows the calamities that lead them to each other. These had me giggling out loud throughout. They are just misfortunate and filled with the trademark humour that I’m loving in these cozy mystery series. It also tells the story of just how the curse is formed, and leads into the next few books in this series. The perfect set up form multiple points of view.

This novel is filled with the typical joyful chaos that I love to read in Roth’s writing. I loved all of the characters and everything about this story. And I can’t wait to read the next one in my TBR!

<- More Mandy M. Roth

Everybody Wants to Rune the World ->

Image source: Mandy Roth

Curses and Cupcakes by Michelle M. Pillow

November 29, 2024Book ReviewCozy mystery, Happily Everlasting World, Michelle M. Pillow, Paranormal Romance, Small town romanceskyebjenner

Title: Curses and Cupcakes
Author: Michelle M. Pillow
Series: Happily Everlasting #6
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Cozy mystery, Paranormal romance, Small town romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2017

Marcy’s curse is honest to go the actual worse! I mean, she literally changes her entire person to suit the man who she feels a modicum of attraction for. In Curses and Cupcakes, Marcy may be doing this because of a curse, but it’s heartbreaking that there are so many women who frequently do this. I mean, can you imagine having to constantly change everything about yourself, against your will, to please the man you find yourself attracted to?

Nick is a really sweet partner for Marcy, and I like that he takes his time to actually make a proper move on Marcy, even if he is consistently showing his interest. It’s always nice to read about a romance and a relationship in which one part of the couple is able to take their time to pursue their interest, rather than drowning the other person in it.

Not only does this cozy mystery follow the mystery of just why and how Marcy was cursed, but it is also filled with arson. I knew that the reason behind this would be connected and unpleasant. But, damn, the creep factor of the curser was not fun at all. I mean, it was kind of predictable (which is always good in a cozy mystery). But, it was still so damn uncomfortable and icky.

I absolutely loved the ease of this story (curses and arson withstanding), and the sweetness of this romance. Plus, all of the yummy cupcakes always make me feel good. There is just something so pleasant about Everlasting and all of its wacky residents. I’m looking forward to reading more of the adventures that take place here!

<- Total Eclipse of the Hunt

An Everlasting Christmas ->

Image source: Jana DeLeon

Fooled Around and Spelled in Love by Michelle M. Pillow

November 28, 2024Book ReviewCozy mystery, Happily Everlasting World, Michelle M. Pillow, Paranormal Romance, Small town romanceskyebjenner

Title: Fooled Around and Spelled in Love
Author: Michelle M. Pillow
Series: Happily Everlasting #3
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Cozy mystery, Paranormal romance, Small town romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2017

Fooled Around and Spelled in Love is Anna and Jackson’s story. I actually read these a little out of order, reading Cupcakes and Curses first. Which meant that it was nice to read about how Macy’s boss, Anna fell in love as well. It was a cute little romance. But also a great cozy mystery, one in which told of the mystery of George’s death and also divulged Anna’s past relationships. George’s past was riddled with indiscretions, and his mother seems a little off-kilter. But I love that you find out parts of it as Anna race to find who killed her fried. It’s a beautiful cozy mystery, and one that I seriously enjoyed.

I love that this is a story that mostly follows a murder mystery, but in the solving and understanding, Anna and Jackson are able to get to know one another. And although there is the instant attraction that they both feel, they are able to slowly get to know one another. And eventually fall in love. The fact that Anna is suspicious of Polly, her eccentric aunt, just heightens the mysteries found in this story. There is a comfort in their falling, one that I kind of prefer to the crazy, whirlwind romances that I also read.

The cursed camera in this was a great object. It was given by Wilbur (a character in another Happily Everlasting story), and tied in a number of mysteries throughout this series. It’s both helpful in highlighting that there was a crime. And not so helpful in that it liked to mislead Anna. I mean, it’s cursed, so it’s not going to be a great idea to trust. I love how Pillow was able to use this object to further the story and give a couple of Red Herrings to the readers.

Everlasting is such a quaint town and I love how there is a multitude of crossovers throughout the stories and authors in this series. It’s definitely a town which has a lot of magic and mayhem. But, somehow, it’s still the kind of town that I would love to live in. I mean, a town fille with cooky characters who just exist as they are? Of course I’m intrigued by that.

<- Once Hunted, Twice Shy

Witchful Thinking ->

Image source: Bol

Dyeing Wishes by Molly MacRae

November 25, 2024Book ReviewCozy mystery, Craft, Crime, Haunted Yarn Shop Mystery, Molly MacRae, Paranormal Fantasyskyebjenner

Title: Dyeing Wishes
Author: Molly MacRae
Series: Haunted Yarn Shop Mystery #2
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Cozy mystery, Craft, Crime, Paranormal fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2013

Dyeing Wishes is another wonderful cozy mystery featuring yarn. And ghosts. And all sorts of nonsense. But mostly, I just love that it’s a fun and gorgeous murder mystery which has a wool and yarn shop at its centre. And Kath trying to figure out her way in her new life. With the people she’s come to love, if not quite understand just yet. As with all of this calibre of mystery, I did kind of end up guessing just who the culprit was, but not quite all the way. There were still plenty of surprises and twists and turns to make me smile. And not want to put this down. Definitely not an easy read at the end of the day… I wanted to solve the mystery far too much!

Ultimately, I actually want Kath to end up with Deputy Clod (Cole) further along in the series. But, I’m enjoying them finding out more about one another as adversaries. And that Kath is spending a lot of time with his brother. And also just the fact that they’re constantly butting heads. I love adversarial couples finding their way to one another. It’s that whole opposites attract thing. I might be completely wrong, but I do love the dynamic that is being set up between Kath and Cole from the very beginning. It’s also kind of fun how they’re constantly trying to one up each other.

Kath’s TGIF posse is absolutely precious. I honestly want a group of women like this in my life – one’s from all age groups and walks of life. That are willing to support one another, but not blindly. Plus, they are able to be around one another in a realistic way. It’s not all sunshine and roses, there are plenty of niggles. But, they still present a united front against outsiders (often Deputy Cole, because hilarious). Plus, they are great at supporting Kath through the death of her grandmother and finding her feet in their little town. It all combines to create a great cast of somewhat zany sidekicks. Ones that had me laughing and smiling throughout this entire story.

From the beginning of Last Wool and Testament, Kath spends a bit of her brain power trying to find and decipher the clues left in Ivy’s note. Particularly the whereabouts of Ivy’s journals and just how her powers work. I love that the powers talked about within this are more subtle and work alongside our own world and experiences. And I love that, at the conclusion of this novel, Kath is more open to experiencing all of the wonders that her grandmother’s legacy has given her. Now, it’s time to go to the next journey with Kath and Geneva and the rest of the TGIF posse.

<- Last Wool and Testament

Spinning in Her Grave ->

Image source: Penguin Books Australia

Total Eclipse of the Hunt by Mandy M. Roth

August 5, 2024Book ReviewCozy mystery, Happily Everlasting World, Mandy M. Roth, Paranormal Romance, Small town romanceskyebjenner

Title: Total Eclipse of the Hunt
Author: Mandy M. Roth
Series: Happily Everlasting World #5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Cozy mystery, Paranormal romance, Small town romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2017

Jake was a great character in Once Hunted, Twice Shy, so I love that he got his own story and happily ever after! It also meant more Wilbur shenanigans. And just, general chaos. Plus, it opens up more of the Happily Everlasting world. Pete, Hugh and all of the other entertaining cast also make appearances, just so that Jake’s love story is all that much more fun and ridiculously enjoyable.

Kelsey is a great match for Jake, if not as engaging and relatable to some of the other female leads thus far in this series. She’s still got backbone, and I love that she comes “home” to rest in Everlasting. The fact that she gets the super dreamy centaur Jake when she decides to come to everlasting just makes it all that much better.

He might be a secondary character, but Wilbur is still completely totally and utterly a favourite. I mean, he pretty much spends the entirety of the book messing with and aggravating Jake and Hugh. I love that a seemingly innocent and sweet old man is actually the terror of a supernatural town. And that he finds serious entertainment in just… annoying pretty much everyone. And kidnapping people. And just generally being a menace.

Total Eclipse of the Hunt is ultimately a story about good and bad witches, and generations of wars between them. Having the name Babcock for a family of evil witches just… worked. On a level that I wasn’t expecting. I absolutely loved the whole dynamic, and that the guy I thought was evil wasn’t, and the one I thought wasn’t, was. A great little cozy mystery. But one that was about theft, and not death this time around.

<- Witchful Thinking

Curses and Cupcakes ->

Image source: Amazon

Witchful Thinking by Kristen Painter

August 4, 2024Book ReviewCozy mystery, Happily Everlasting World, Kristen Painter, Paranormal Romance, Small town romanceskyebjenner

Title: Witchful Thinking
Author: Kristen Painter
Series: Happily Everlasting World #4
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Cozy mystery, Paranormal romance, Small town romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2017

Witchful Thinking is a great story, and one that I will most likely read again. It was fun and light hearted, with just enough drama to keep me hooked in from the very first moment. Charlotte and Walker were a fun couple, and I like that they were in a race against time to figure out just who was hunting for the grimoire. And destroying Charlotte’s property, and just generally who was on the side of evil.

Whilst I really enjoyed this story, I found Charlotte to be almost annoyingly innocent. I mean, I still liked her, and eventually she showed some backbone. But it took a little while for her to get there, and it was a bit frustrating in the lead up. Then, it did make me even more happy when she decided to step up and act like an adult. Walker was incredibly loyal from the very beginning, and I found his inability to deviate from his loyalty to Charlotte to be quite cute and endearing.

This is the first Everlasting story I’ve read that wasn’t written by Mandy M. Roth – so it was nice to have a different perspective of this jointly created town. I love series which provide different facets of small town life by having stories crafted by different authors. That, and it gave me a whole new author to add to my shelves and investigate.

I love that this is a cozy mystery which features and evil book and evil witches. I mean, the book didn’t seem so evil, until you start learning about what spells inhabit it’s pages. I also love how the demise of the evil is actually really anticlimactic. A disgustingly fun way to spend an evening, guessing who the villain is and getting that easy happily ever after that I love.

<- Fooled Around and Spelled in Love

Total Eclipse of the Hunt ->