Tag Archives: Cozy mystery

Once Hunted, Twice Shy by Mandy M. Roth

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Once Hunted, Twice Shy
Author: Mandy M. Roth
Series: Happily Everlasting World #2
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

Thoughts

I love that this is a paranormal romance and a cozy mystery all rolled into one. I particularly love how Hugh and Penelope are falling in love and getting to know one another as they try and solve a pair of murders. Plus, then there’s Penelope’s grandfather and all of his insanity – the man who likes to kidnap others and is a kind elderly guy who also scares every single person in the town.

I love that Hugh is a werewolf, but his perfect soul mate is the daughter of a long line of monster hunters. And that Hugh is absolutely terrified of her grandfather. That in and of itself leads itself to a lot of high jinx and shenanigans throughout the story. It also means that instead of just Hugh and Penelope trying to solve a murder, her grandfather is running around causing chaos in his own controlling, crime-solving manner.

Although I absolutely adored Hugh and Penelope, I must admit that it was the secondary cast and the town of Everlasting that had me falling in love with this story. I mean, every single person in this was an absolute character. And all of their crazy together created an amazing and vibrant world that I can’t wait to get back to. And I can’t wait to see who falls in love next, who gets kidnapped, killed or robbed, whatever chaotic mystery is going to happen in the next Happily Everlasting World book.

I did end up guessing who the culprit was in this story, although, quite honestly, only moments before the big reveal. However, that is often why I like to read cozy mysteries – they are generally not filled with a mind bending mystery, but one that is big enough to keep you engaged. Plus, there is the fact that the culprit had a paranormal motive and wasn’t actually as evil as originally anticipated. Now I can’t wait for the next story in Happily Everlasting or Bewitchingly Ever After.

<- Dead Man TalkingFooled Around and Spelled in Love ->

Image source: Jana DeLeon

The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Mysterious Affair at Styles
Author: Agatha Christie
Series: Hercule Poirot #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Cozy mystery, Crime, Mystery
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 1920

Thoughts

I read Murder on the Orient Express a long while ago, and then just didn’t get around to reading more of the Hercule Poirot series. Now I’m wondering why it took me so long to pick up this book. It was a fun and easy read. With a whole lot going on. Honestly, you could skim read and just float on the story line, or you could delve deeper (like I did) and spend the whole time trying to figure out just who the culprit was.

This is one of those books / series that I know will be a pleasure to reread. Christie manages to leave clue upon clue, but you only realise this in hindsight. Then there are plenty of red herrings that lead you to dead ends and down rabbit holes. I love that this is kind of confusing and meandering, yet, somehow it’s also fairly linear and simple. If you’re not like me and just happy to find out the culprit at the end, the story would be such a simple read.

To make this story even more compelling, and increase the difficulty of guessing the villain, every single suspect in this story has something to hide. It was a lot of fun trying to figure out which secrets were about the murder, and which ones were just people being horrible. It was nice that some of these secrets also weren’t so sinister. And that they actually lead to a nice happy ending.

I truly enjoyed this novel. It was a closed room mystery with a lot of intrigue and twists. I loved trying to figure out everyone’s secrets and now I can’t wait to dive into the next Poirot novel… it’s easy to see why these books are considered such classics.

<- More Agatha ChristieThe Murder on the Links ->

Image source: Kobo

Last Wool and Testament by Molly MacRae

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Last Wool and Testament
Author: Molly MacRae
Series: Haunted Yarn Shop Mystery #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Cozy mystery, Craft, Paranormal fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2012

Thoughts

This was an absolutely brilliant cozy mystery. And as a Yarn Fondler myself, I seriously appreciated all of the yarn throughout the tale. Cozy mysteries are a genre that I’ve only recently begun to really get into, but it’s definitely one that I love. And the fact that I have found one that features yarn-related crafts made me seriously happy. And kind of inspired to pick up my own projects and fondle my own yarn… there’s also nothing like a bunch of women united by their love of yarn to bust some butt and solve a mystery. The idea of these women being grandmothers and part of the TGIF (Thank Goodness It’s Fibre) group of women just made it all that much better.

Kath is thrown into a fair amount of turmoil before she even arrives at her destination – a cop pulls her over and then starts to make negative comments about her recently deceased grandmother. I mean, this is literally the opening scene and it’s kind of intense. But it works so well. Straight away I wanted to find out what was going to happen next. And figure out why there is such a divide in people’s opinions of Kath’s grandmother. Then, as the story unfolds, you realise that there is murder most foul afoot. And you really want to know about that too. Blackmail, murder and knitting… the perfect mix for my happy little brain.

I love that to add a bit of variety to this mystery is the fact that Kath is haunted by an INCREDIBLY irritating ghost. I mean, theoretically, she tries to help out with the murder solving bit. But mostly she is just whiney and irritating. I really liked her. And look forward to spending more time with her neurotic insanity in Dyeing Wishes. She’s a fantastic bit of comedic relief in some of the darker aspects of this story and a source of continuous entertainment. She’s also redeemable at the end when she actually helps to save the day – after being such a whiney pain throughout the rest of this.

I’m normally great with guessing who the villain of a story is because there are always clues. And although in hindsight there are all sorts of little hints throughout this, I genuinely had no freaking idea who the villain in this story was. Until they were revealed. And I still felt like it could have been someone else… so now I’m trying to figure out if that someone else is evil in a whole other range of ways, or just a bonehead… nothing like that confusion to make you want to dive into the next mystery in the series.

<- More Molly MacRaeDyeing Wishes ->

Image source: Amazon

The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency
Author: Alexander McCall Smith
Series: No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Africa, Cozy mystery, Crime
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Year: 1998

Thoughts

I was surprised by this story. Mostly in the fact that there really didn’t appear to be any one specific storyline. I thought that there would be one underlying crime that would carry throughout this whole story. Instead, it was a series of short investigations that let you get to know Botswana and Mma Ramotswe.

Although this was very different to what I expected, I absolutely loved reading this. It kind of felt like the African sun (I’ve spent time in South Africa)… that feeling of being relaxed and content. That the world is good just for being itself and worth embracing every moment. It was so relaxed and just downright fun. Although, it also meant that I didn’t race to finish this either…

Although there wasn’t a huge underlying crime that went through as a common thread, there was one crime that had moments showing up throughout. It gave a sense of mystery without being overpowering like many of the crime stories that I’ve read. I love that there was an eventual conclusion, but it wasn’t the conclusion to the story.

This is one of those cruisy books that I look forward to reading again. I will also look forward to adding more of this series to my shelves. It was impossible to put down and look away from. And definitely has pulled me into the glorious nostalgia of the African sun.

<- More Alexander McCall SmithTears of the Giraffe ->

Image source: Kobo

Witch You Well by Colleen Cross

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Witch You Well
Author: Colleen Cross
Series: Westwick Witches #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Cozy mystery, Paranormal fantasy, Witches
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2016

Thoughts

When I saw that there was a paranormal cozy mystery series available through kobo plus… my sleep deprived brain went straight to its happy place. And I really wasn’t disappointed. This was fun and light. With just enough mystery and drama to make it incredibly difficult to put down.

Any mystery that has a culprit I didn’t see coming is going to make me happy. There were a few aspects of this story that I DID anticipate. But so much that took me completely by surprise. I loved this balance. And for that alone, not only do I plan to read the rest of this series, but I’ll probably reread this again. Find the clues that I missed before.

I love that this is an incredibly female driven story. Not just in the lead, her mother and aunt, but also the way she lives her life. There’s a fair amount of commentary about the fact that we shouldn’t settle. Her relationship is this perfect example of taking a step back and letting someone just take you for granted. And that is actually not okay.

Aside from all the joys if a fabulous, female driven, cozy mystery; I loved all the magic and mayhem throughout. Mostly the fact that there’s a crazy, witchy aunty making everything incredibly difficult. It had me laughing and cackling all the way through.

<- More Colleen CrossRags to Witches ->

Image source: Goodreads

Marriage and Murder by Penny Reid

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Marriage and Murder by Penny Reid

Title: Marriage and Murder
Author: Penny Reid
Series: Solving for Pie #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Cozy mystery
Dates read: 24th – 29th October 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: SmartyPants Romance
Year: 2021
5th sentence, 74th page: The lie.

Synopsis

The Devil is in the details…

Cletus Byron Winston wishes to marry Jennifer Anne Donner-Sylvester (aka The Banana Cake Queen) posthaste! He’s spent the last year wanting nothing more than for the celebrations to be brief, libations flowing, and BYOB (bring your own blueberries). His future mother-in-law has other plans, plans his intended has been willing to indulge, much to Cletus’s chagrin. Therefore, so must he. To a point. But truth be told, he wouldn’t mind if the meddlesome matriarch disappeared, at least until the nuptials are over.

On the night of Cletus and Jenn’s long-awaited engagement party, just when the surly schemer is of a mind to take matters into his own hands, a shocking events upends everyone’s best laid plans and sends the small hamlet of Green Valley into complete disarray. The final months leading up to Cletus and Jenn’s matrimonial bliss are plagued with chaos and uncertainty. Will Cletus and Jenn finally make it to the altar? Or will murder and mayhem derail their happily-ever-after?

And most importantly, who done it?

Thoughts

After the most enjoyable of moments in Engagement and Espionage, I couldn’t wait to pick up Marriage and Murder. Luckily, this was one of those times that I actually had it sitting on the shelf, ready to go. So, of course, I dived right in. And I most definitely was not disappointed. This was an amazing story. love the contemporary mystery feel. Loved the story line. And, as always, loved Cletus and Jenn.

This may make me a slightly bad person… but, personally I love the fact that Kip dies in this story. I mean, death is bad and all. But he is the kind of villain I most fear. The sort that is so deliriously self-righteous that you just… can’t even reason with them. Or bribe them. Or really in anyway do anything. And they’re also the type of person that I fear the most in the world. I mean, someone who has no logic and you can’t have an open, safe and frank conversation with? Yup. That’s scary. So in this story, I appreciated that he can no longer quite torture Jenn and Cletus. Once his murder is solved anyway.

I always love a good mystery in which you can’t quite guess what / who the guilty party is. The facts of this get more and more blurred as there are potentially two different murder methods / villains. I loved trying to piece together all of the bits and pieces as Cletus and Jenn rush to try and do the same thing. I mean, I would love this story just because of the amazing lead couple. But the fact that there is a mystery I spent the whole time trying to piece together? Completely priceless.

This is most definitely one of my favourite books to have read recently. Again, mostly because, well, Cletus and Jenn are awesome. They’re fun and quirky, they’re completely unique and they just leave me with a huge smile on my face from the very beginning. Definitely an impossible couple to forget. And not one that I would want to. I’m so glad that this story ends in their marriage. Now I get to find out about the next part of their relationship when I save up the money to buy Home and Heist.

<- Engagement and EspionageHome and Heist ->

Image source: Goodreads

Engagement and Espionage by Penny Reid

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Engagement and Espionage by Penny Reid

Title: Engagement and Espionage
Author: Penny Reid
Series: Solving for Pie #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Cozy mystery
Dates read: 22nd – 24th October 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: SmartyPants Romance
Year: 2020
5th sentence, 74th page: What am I going to do about those cows?

Synopsis

Jennifer Sylvester made her deal with the devil… and now they’re engaged!

But all is not well in Green Valley. A chicken choker is on the loose, 61 dead birds most “fowl” need plucking, and no time remains for Jennifer and her devilish fiancé. Desperate to find a spare moment together, Jenn and Cletus’s attempts to reconnect are thwarted by one seemingly coincidental disaster after another. It’s not long before Cletus and Jenn see a pattern emerge and the truth becomes clear.

Sabotage!

Will an undercover missions unmask the culprit? Or are these love-birds totally plucked?

Thoughts

I already know that Penny Reid can write an amazing romance and a wonderful story. Plus, I did fall stupid in love with Cletus and Jenn in Beard Science. But, I was a little intrigued as to whether she could write a decent cozy mystery or not. It turns out, she can. And, like everything else I have read by her. It’s brilliant. And fun. And just all around a really good read.

I love that throughout this story, there is not only the question of who is out to get Jenn, but how Cletus is going to propose. I love that he is sweet enough to have multiple rings and to want to try again and again to get the exact right proposal. He’s incredibly dense, but also completely adorable. A nice balance in my opinion. I mean, I don’t know many people who aren’t kind of dense in at least one area. And the fact that for Cletus, it’s how relationships work… loved it.

One of the hardest things I’ve found about being in a relationship is trying to juggle everything when things get a little hectic. I know that my partner is always in my corner, but I also know that I need to make the time and space to show him that I’m also in his corner. I love that Cletus and Jenn very much go through this. They are madly in love and completely understanding of one another, but they’re not quite meshing completely throughout this story. Something that, realistically, I think most relationships go through at some point.

Jenn and her mother have a contentious and difficult relationship from the very moment that you meet them. I like that Reid acknowledges this and works towards finding a more satisfactory way to live with one another. It’s a difficult line to walk and I found the way that they try and negotiate this to be absolutely brilliant. It’s a reminder that no one is perfect, and all relationships need work – particularly those that have been dysfunctional for far too long.

There are a number of cute moments throughout this, but the part that, of course takes my attention the most – the battle that Jenn and Cletus face. The way that they are racing against the clock to try and figure out who, exactly, is trying to sabotage them. The relationships and the negotiation of their worlds’ just makes this all that much better. And, of course so much harder to put down.

<- More Penny ReidMarriage and Murder ->

Image source: Goodreads

On What Grounds by Cleo Coyle

Book Review,
Overview
On What Grounds (Coffeehouse, book 1) by Cleo Coyle

Title: On What Grounds
Author: Cleo Coyle
Series: Coffeehouse Mystery #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Coffee, Cozy mystery
Dates read: 13th – 16th August 2021
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Berkley Mystery
Year: 2003
5th sentence, 74th page: This doesn’t.

Synopsis

Clare Cosi used to manage the historic Village Blend coffeehouse… until she opted for quieter pastures and a more suburban life. But after ten years and a little friendly cajoling from the owner (a fresh pot of Jamaican Blue Mountain was all it took), she’s back tot eh grind, serving coffee and solving crime – one cup at a time…

ON WHAT GROUNDS

With a sprawling rent-free apartment directly above the Village Blend, her cat Java by her side, and plenty of coffeehouse redecorating ideas, Clare is thrilled to return to work. Until she discovers the assistant manager unconscious in the back of the store, coffee grounds strewn everywhere. Police arrive on the scene to investigate. but when they find no sign of forced entry or foul play, they deem it an accident. Case closed. But Clare is not convinced. And after the police leave, there are a few things she just can’t get out of her mind… Why was the trash bin in the wrong place? If this wasn’t an accident, is Clare in danger? And… are all detectives this handsome?

Thoughts

I love a good cozy mystery. They’re cute, fun and, although you constantly want to know “whodunnit”, you’re not scared by the end of the tale. Everything gets tied up neatly and whilst there is a little bit of danger, it’s not overwhelming and frightening. The only problem with this cozy mystery? It features coffee. And I’m pregnant, so I can’t drink all of the coffee I want to…

Clare is a fun and unique lead. Rather than being young without much attachment, she’s a middle aged woman about to start her “second life”. She’s divorced, has a grown daughter and all of the trappings and difficulties that go along with that. It provides an added complexity to the story line that is sometimes missing from some of the mysteries that I read. It’s dark and wonderfully twisted. Seriously fun and very difficult to walk away from. I absolutely adored Clare as a lead. She is sassy and has a wealth of past experiences to draw upon.

This is a brilliant start to a new series. One that I can’t wait to fill my shelves with. It is fun and entertaining, filled with slightly eccentric characters and a number of potential love interests. I am really hoping that Clare picks Quinn ultimately, but I also know that Matteo is going to throw more than one spanner in the works for the chances of this budding relationship. Partner in Clare’s tight relationship with her daughter, the constant coffee recipes and just general food mentions… and I don’t recommend reading this on an empty stomach. I do recommend completely diving into this with a nice, big cup of coffee though.

I absolutely adored this story. I loved the slow unveiling of Annabelle’s past and the hints at who could have killed her. There are plenty of red herrings, and a couple of different horrors waiting at the end of the literary rainbow. This was a brilliant cozy mystery and I can’t wait to sink my teeth into more of Clare’s adventures.

<- More Cleo CoyleThrough the Grinder ->

Image source: Fantastic Fiction

Death by Diamonds by Annette Blair

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Death by Diamonds (A Vintage Magic Mystery, #3) by Annette Blair

Title: Death by Diamonds
Author: Annette Blair
Series: A Vintage Magic Mystery #3
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Chic lit, Cozy mystery, Mystery
Dates read: 18th – 20th May 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Berkley Mystery
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: “You get me in the stupidest trouble.”

Synopsis

The latest entry sparkles in national bestselling author Annette Blair’s enchanting series starring Madeira Cutler and her charming Vintage Magic boutique. This time Maddie needs to find out why a famous actress faced her final curtain call…

Madeira loves her vintage clothing store, but the visions she gets from the garments can be hard to handle, especially when she knows the garment’s owner. At first she’s thrilled to receive a package containing the beautifully bejewelled dress she designed for actress and old friend Dominique DeLong while in fashion school. But the dress comes with a disturbing note from Dominique, who it seems took her last bow under very mysterious circumstances. Now Maddie needs to use her second sight to shine a spotlight on the actress’s entire entourage – including a bitter ex, a rival ingenue, and a very catty “best friend” – and make sure that this was the killer’s final act.

Thoughts

I love a good cozy mystery. They have all the intensity and joy of a good thriller or crime novel. Just none of the horror, can’t sleep at night feelings that my other crime novels inspire. Which, thinking about it is a little weird… Death by Diamonds still has a murder, and it should be scary. But mostly it’s just enjoyable.

Admittedly I’m not one for fashion. But I do appreciate all of the intricacies that are around for people who are. And, honestly, after reading this, I kind of wish that I was into vintage fashion. There are so many beautiful nuances throughout this book.

Dom is maybe my favourite murder victim ever. Whoch is supremely weird, I know. But from the very beginning, she is manipulating and twisting things in a way that is kind of humorous. I love the gumption of the woman and the pizzaz that she shows, even from beyond the grave. It gives you a hint of the woman that you never get to meet within the storyline. And I loved it.

I have most definitely got a favourite leading man in this series… Weiner. Nick is not bad, per se, just “eh”. Which meant that I was incredibly happy to have Weiner take a little more centre stage in Mad’s attentions. Hopefully in the next book this relationship will start to develop more!

<- Larceny and LaceSkirting the Grave ->

Image source: Goodreads

Death in Daylesford by Kerry Greenwood

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Death in Daylesford, The New Phryne Fisher Mystery by Kerry Greenwood | 9781743310342 | Booktopia

Title: Death in Daylesford
Author: Kerry Greenwood
Series: Phryne Fisher #21
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Cozy mystery, Crime, Historical fiction, Mystery
Dates read: 11th – 13th October 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Year: 2020
5th sentence, 74th page: She indicated the cloche.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

Surrounded by secrets, great and small, the formidable Miss Phryne Fisher returns to vanquish injustice.

When a mysterious invitation arrives for Miss Phryne Fisher from an unknown Captain Herbert Spencer, Phryne’s curiosity is excited. Spencer runs a retreat in Victoria’s spa country for shell-shocked soldiers of the First World War. It’s a cause after Phryne’s own heart but what could Spencer want from her?

Phryne and the faithful Dot view their spa sojourn as a short holiday but are quickly thrown in the midst of disturbing Highland gatherings, disappearing women, murder and the mystery of the Temperance Hotel.

Meanwhile, Cec, Bert and Tinker find a young woman floating face down in the harbour, dead. Tinker and Phryne’s resilient adopted daughters, Jane ad Ruth, decide to solve what appears to be a heinous crime.

Disappearances, murder, bombs, booty-traps and strange goings-on keep Miss Phryne Fisher right in the middle of her most exciting adventure.

Thoughts

I received this book as an ARC that I needed to review. I have never read any Phryne Fisher books and I honestly had absolutely no idea what to expect. Particularly since this is the twenty-first book in the series…

As a cozy mystery, I was expecting one cute and intriguing mystery to happen – alright, cute probably isn’t the right word, after all, they still tend to be murders or some such. What I didn’t expect, or anticipate was the fact that there would be three consecutive mysteries occurring. It created a number of parallel storylines to follow that I just adored and found absolutely beguiling. This is definitely the kind of mystery that I love to have on my shelves. And I seriously look forward to adding more in when I get the chance!

Not only did I seriously enjoy the setting of this story, but I also thoroughly loved the characters as well. Phryne Fisher is a woman full of character and gumption. She’s not afraid of… well, anything and she is exactly what I look for in a slightly zany and wonderfully independent lead character. But, you add to that her faithful companion Dot, and the zany adoptive family that she leaves at home… yeah, this is a group of individuals that I want to get to know better!

Finally, to top off the amazing storyline and characters, there is the setting. I don’t have the pleasure of reading many stories based in Australia. I even less commonly have the pleasure of reading stories which feature Australia in the 1920s… I just couldn’t look away, and nor did I wish to. A fantastic mystery, brilliant writing, and a totally unique setting that I wish we had more of. What more could you want in a book?

<- Murder and MendelssohnMore Kerry Greenwood ->

Image source: Booktopia