Death by Cupcake, Book Five

Four of five stars given

Anna is working on her wedding cupcake cake when Ben – Callie’s cop boyfriend – arrives at the cake shop to tell her Logan – her fiancé – is IN jail, for the alleged murder of a gang member.  The gang he was investigating under cover.  Doesn’t matter how many people tell her not to, Anna is determined to investigate and figure out who actually did it.  After all, she’s supposed to be getting married in fourteen days!

“It’s not like the homicide detectives in this town are always the most competent.”

And that’s when it all goes a little nuts.

Fun characters, an intriguing premise, and a lot of yummy cupcakes, all combined to make this a fun read!  Number Five in the series – I haven’t read the others . . . yet – but never fear, this reads well as a stand alone.

[Many thanks to Cozy Mystery Review Crew and the author for the opportunity to read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.  I was not required to write a review.  This is my honest review, the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.]

Four of five stars given

Gabriella has a vision for herself.   She is determined and focussed on that vision.   Life has its ways of intervening and interfering, but Gabriella rolls with what’s thrown her way and perseveres.  Gabriela’s story is not a new one and while you will at times shake your head at her willfulness, you can’t help but admire the determination that drives her.

Bell has taken a familiar narrative, given it new life, and added a turn that surprised this reader.   A good read with engaging characters – I particularly loved Lita and Magda – I’m sure this is a novel you will enjoy!

[Many thanks to Booksirens and the author for the opportunity to read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.   This is my honest review, the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.]

A Kate Bradley Mystery

Five of five stars

“Kindness is not some kind of exchange: I’ll help you, but then you have to help someone else. And maybe I’ll be rewarded for my kindness. That’s not how it works.” I leaned forward. “How what works?”

“Connecting with others,” she said, softly. “It’s not transactional. It starts with understanding that everybody is struggling, even people who don’t appear to be suffering on the outside . Loss. Grief. Brokenness. Hurt. Worry. Everyone around you, the people you share the grocery line with, sit next to at work, meet on social media, and see across the kitchen table. They’re all wrestling with something. And we all have the power to help.”

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Imagine a stranger pays for breakfast.  For everyone in the restaurant. 

Imagine a stranger pays next month’s rent.  For a whole building.  Then invites them to meet him at a local park.  And sends them a free picnic lunch.

Imagine a stranger pays for lunch for a whole school.  Everyone’s favourites.  But the catch is that no one eats alone.

Random acts of extreme generosity are happening all over Manhattan.  And Kate Bradley is investigating the story.  Because there IS definitely a story here!

As she searches for the stranger, Kate starts receiving warnings.   “Stop looking for her, Kate.  I’m watching you.”  What could it mean?

Meserve is masterful!  Endearing characters, an engrossing story line, and a conclusion that I, for one, didn’t even imagine!  The Good Stranger is the kind of novel that stays with you.  An absolutely compelling read!

[Many thanks to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read an Advance Reader Copy of this book.  The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.]

Five of five stars, this is a really good cozy series!

Slash in the Pan, Book Five

There’s a body in the subdivision where Joe is general contractor .  It’s maybe not surprising that they’re looking no further than Joe for their killer.  But Georgie was maid of honour when Joe and Kari – her best friend – got married; and no one’s going to get any rest till she’s figured out the real truth!

Things start to look worse instead of better, then somehow her dead fiancé seems to have been mixed up in some of what she finds.  Is this going to be the undoing of Georgie?

James has pulled some seemingly random threads in this one, but that’s where her talent at whodunits shines through.   You will love it; I sure did!

Drizzle of Death, Book Four

This time Georgie’s sniffing that things aren’t as they normally are in the Amish community she often visits.  When she loses the young Amish girl Mary and her troubled friend Jacob, Georgie knows she’s likely made matters worse and sets out to fix it.

As she delves into the truth of the incident, some eerie similarities start to come out regarding her fiancé’s death.  And it seems that Frank is rekindling something with an old army buddy – of the female variety.

Life is a series of misadventures for Georgie and crew, but there’s never a dull moment in this tiny tourist town.  Another great installment in the series, I can highly recommend!

Crème Brulée to Slay, Book Three

Georgie’s funds have been a mite slow coming in with the tourist wane so she’s taken on a side gig as server at a posh dinner.  And wouldn’t you know it, just when it all seems to be going well, someone’s missing from the dinner table, and is found dead in another room.  Anaphylactic shock?  Or murder? 

Georgie plans to find out before her caterer friend is left holding the can!

And it looks like things between her and Frank are really starting to heat up!  Another great time spent with what are quickly  taking their place among my favourite characters!

Cookies and Scream, Book Two

Running historical tours in conjunction with Aunt Cecelia’s Bed & Breakfast, is a new gig for Georgie.  One she put together after leaving the big city when her fiancé was killed.  But it’s working.  The fact that she’s home, in the town she grew up in, with her Auntie, good counselling – and Frank too – has gone a long way towards helping her finally heal.

At a reenactment, a gun goes off and actually kills one of the actors.  There’s all sorts of controversy that comes out about the victim, and circumstantial evidence points to another of the reenactors, an old high school friend of Georgie’s.  When he swears he’s innocent and begs Georgie to help him, she can hardly refuse!

Another exciting adventure for Georgie, and a bit more of her own personal healing too.  The characters are endearing, and the story is a definite page turner; I highly recommend!

Cherry Pie or Die, Book One

Set in an historic area of Pennsylvania, Baker Street Bed & Breakfast is the perfect place for Georgie to come home to.  Though she loved her job as a paralegal in the city, the unexplained death of her fiancé left her heart hurting, and she needed to come home.

What she didn’t need was a murder.  One of her tour group is murdered during a guided visit to an historic home.  Something just doesn’t seem right though, and soon Georgie is doing a bit of investigating, while she battles demons of her own. 

James has created a quaint village with engaging characters.   There’s the requisite curmudgeon or two, the mysterious young woman, and a host of others to toss is red herrings as we try to decipher the clues.

Thoroughly enjoyed this first entry into this new to me series.  binge reading is a real advantage of starting a series when there are already several volumes released.  Highly recommend this new sleuth!

Sleep Like the Dead, Book Three

Five of five stars given

The Manor is hosting a sleep over.  Sixty history buffs paid for the privilege of a full on Dickens inspired meal, a proper dance hosted by the “Duke and Duchess”, and a chance to sleep among the art and artifacts that Charleton House holds.  

Of course, there is a hint of drama just to keep things interesting.  And a dead body.  Sophie – no surprise there – has found it!   After a bit of mix up as to WHO the body was, she and Mark with a bit of help from Bill, are off to assist Joe in uncovering the miscreant.

As we’ve come to expect, Adams sprinkles historical data among the clues and misdirection; with a cast of characters we know and love.  It’s always an entertaining time spent in the company of Sophie, Mark, Joyce and crew; the pages fly by till Sherlock Lockwood stumbles across the villain.  I highly recommend this latest episode in the Charleton House Mysteries.

[Many thanks to the author for the opportunity to read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.  I was not required to write a review.  This is my honest review, the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.]

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A Killer Wedding, Book Two

Five of five stars given

In Book Two of the Charleton House Mysteries, there’s a wedding set to take place in the State Dining Room.  It’s all going well until the wedding photographer is found in the Antler Room, dead.  Pierced through by a fallen set of antlers.

Detective Joe is on the case together with DS Harnby who is keeping a wary eye on Sophie, but Sophie is determined to unravel the mystery.  Especially when Chef Gregg – an essential member of her team – seems to have aroused the DS’s suspicion.

And it looks like Joyce has found her long lost childhood sweetheart and may be pulling up stakes for Australia!

There’s lots going on in Derbyshire this time and Sophie is right in the middle of it!

“I had once compared trying to solve a murder with working on a recipe: putting all the clues, or ingredients, together, figuring out quantities and new flavours, and working out what I could make with them. Well, right now I didn’t have enough ingredients to make a basic sponge cake and it was driving me up the wall.”

Adams has crafted an entertaining mystery that certainly kept me guessing.  Thank goodness Sophie got to the bottom of things because I certainly did not!  Can’t wait to see what she gets up to next!

[Many thanks to the author for the opportunity to read an Advance Reader Copy of this book.   This is my honest review, the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.]

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Death by Dark Roast, Book One

Five of five stars given

Sophie Lockwood has been managing the cafes at Charleton House for approximately a year.  It’s been an eventful year because Sophie often finds herself in the midst of murder investigations.  She simply cannot help herself; she simply has to unearth the truth.

Death by Dark Roast takes Sophie into the realm of robberies and fraud as well as murder.  But nothing will deter her from getting the culprit.

Adam’s characters are colourful- I especially love Joyce and Mark – engaging and good fun.  They lend a welcoming air and produce laughter in the most unexpected places.  A great read that I thoroughly enjoyed, I think you will too!

[Many thanks to the author for the opportunity to read a copy of this book.  This is my honest review, the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.]

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A Stately Murder, A Prequel

Sophie’s only been at Charleton House a few months, but is thoroughly enjoying learning about her surroundings, its family, and their history.  Finding a corpse wasn’t generally part of the tour, nonetheless Sophie has!

In a convoluted story involving a 17th century Duke, a painter, and murder, Adams has woven a gripping tale.  Dotted with engaging characters and bits of humour, the pages kept turning, almost of their own accord.  Highly recommend!

Eliza Thomson Investigates

Five of five stars given

On a trip to the small town in Scotland that is Dr Thomson’s family home, Eliza and Connie discover a dead body.  Maggie’s mother-in-law is found at the foot of the cliff, with suspicious bruises around her neck that point to foul play.  The police, on the other hand are inclined to chalk it up to an accident.  The ladies – much to Dr Thomson’s chagrin – are investigating instead.

McBeath’s Eliza is a strong independent woman, at a time when “ladies” were to have been anything but.  And it’s partly this that leads to problems with her in-laws – mostly her mother-in-law.  But once again in the thick of things, she and Connie are determined to leave no stone unturned.  There are some intriguing new characters in this volume and watching the interplay between Eliza and her in-laws is fascinating.

It’s always a pleasure to catch up with Thomsons and Henry, along with Mrs Appleton; and watch as they uncover the latest villain.  I look forward to the next episode of their adventures.

[Many thanks to the author for the opportunity to read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.  This is my honest review, the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.]

Five of five stars given

We meet Violet Ward in Draheen in 1949.  She’s returned to Ireland with her husband and their young daughter at his behest.  He too is Irish and it had always been his dream to return to his beloved land.

Violet has no such happy memories, but she’s a playwright and as she can work anywhere, she agrees to make their home in the land to which they both owe their heritage.

But it’s not the happy homecoming they envision.  Violet’s family refuses to have anything to do with them, not even replying to her letters.  The town of Draheen is determined that the author of such filth – the Ireland of old was locked down under the heavy hand of the Catholic church – should find no comfort in their midst.

Strange and disturbing things start happening to young Silvia.  Henry refuses to countenance the thought of returning to London.  And suddenly one morning, Violet disappears.  Thought to have run away.

Having succeeded in ridding themselves of the playwright, the village of Draheen returns to its superficially devout Catholic ways.

Until, some 70 years after it’s been left locked up, Eveline House has been sold.

In trying to make Eveline House her own, Emily piece by piece unearths the sordid truth, with the unexpected involvement of Silvia herself and, in the end, Emily’s own mother.

A gripping tale.  The characters are engaging.  The story itself filled with twists unexpected, and much sadness too.  I couldn’t help myself but had to keep reading.

If there’s one thing that was dissonant in this book it was the last fifteen or so pages.  The telling of the few pieces still missing of Violet and Silvia’s story.  It just seems so out of character with the style of the rest of the book.  Whereas Hallward weaves an enthralling tale throughout, these last pages seem to have been written by someone else.  Rather than a continued telling of the tale, it’s a laundry list of events as if to bring all the open threads to a close.

Still, I found the book held my interest, and I turned page after page to learn Violet’s story.  The outcome was not what I would have liked, but it was almost inevitable that it should have happened that way.

I highly recommend!

[Many thanks to Booksirens and the author for the opportunity to read a copy of this book.  This is my honest review, the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.]

Book One: Demented Minds Collection

Four of five stars given

It’s interesting to me in retrospect, that a book that was a literal chore for me to slog through, still held me enthralled and did NOT end up on my DNF pile. The story line is mesmerising and well worth hanging in.

I was in a quandary as to how to rate this book. I found it difficult to read, the language a stilted and unnatural. HOWEVER, the premise was intriguing and held my interest enough to overrule my inner grammar grannie. I put her on hiatus and just enjoyed the plot.

I hope you’ll do the same.

So, let’s talk about that story!

We have the FBI tracking a serial killer. With similarities to a previous killer – except that he’s in jail.

We have a team lead who has no use for the psychological assessment group – but why? And we have Tilda and Nathan who are determined that he MUST give them the tools and latitude they need to do their job. Well Tilda is. Nathan isn’t so sure.

Add to that, we have the killer talking to us. Oh, we don’t know WHO he is, but we know he’s out there. And we see how his mind works, how his plans – because he IS investing much planning and time in his kills – take shape and come to fruition.

Hallward has crafted great characters and an engrossing plot line. The twists are unexpected, yet totally in synch with the story. Slightly reminiscent of Silence of the Lambs – which I didn’t enjoy – this nonetheless was unputdownable.

You’ll like it, I promise!

[Many thanks to Booksirens and the author for the opportunity to read a copy of this book. This is my honest review, the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.]

One Inner Voice, Book One

Five of five stars given – and if I could have, I’d have doubled them!

“Jeremiah 33:5 [New International Version]

“In the fight with the Babylonians: They will be filled with the dead bodies of the people I will slay in my anger and wrath.  I will hide my face from this city because of all its wickedness”.

*****

There’s a serial killer on the loose.  They’ve dubbed this one The Church Killer because of a preference for dumping the bodies in front of a church.  And the note that is left with each corpse.

The death toll is up to six before Randy, Danny, and the team catch even a slim break or two.  While the bodies pile up, there’s a good deal of humour in Wyont’s narrative.  I often catch myself chuckling at the interactions of the lead detectives and their wives.  When ultimately, it’s Randy’s wife Margaret who puts them on the right track, it just seems to fit.

This is a cozy with a bit of a difference.  You will love the characters, and the humour that’s injected through these books is great.  These aren’t, strictly speaking, amateurs because they’re police detectives; but the wives – who have a good bit of input – are most definitely the fresh eye that the weary police detectives need.  The pile up of bodies – while not being explicitly bloody – might be daunting, so be prepared.  But please don’t let it put you off, you’ll miss some great writing if you do!

Great characters and a gripping tale; I never imagined the identity of the killer!  And it doesn’t stop there, there’s a twist coming that makes this whodunnit totally unexpected.  Yet it all makes perfect sense too.

Inner Voice mentions Finding Miss Write by Gena Webb, and that novel also mentions Inner Voice.  I find that detail interesting and amusing at the same time.  It’s like books happening in real life, but not.  Quite a plot point. The books interact quite a bit throughout both series’ actually, it’s a fun tidbit.

Highly recommend, I’m swiftly moving on to Book Two!

[Many thanks to the author for the opportunity to read a copy of this book.  This is my honest review, the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.]

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One Strange Accident, Book Two

Five of five stars given

When you’re reading a murder mystery and you’re laughing your ass off, but still turning the pages to find out what’s next, that’s one damn good story!

And One Strange Accident is exactly that!

Randy and Danny are back and they have another serial killer on their hands.  Imagine if you will, a young man – barely out of college – suddenly finds himself plowing his car into a busload of seniors on tour.  When questioned, he’s tortured by what happened and can only say that his mind was a complete blank.  He had no intention of doing it, but he had no control over himself and no power to stop the inevitable.

As the team starts to investigate, it’s clear that there’s something else afoot here.  Something sinister.  Something they need to stop, as the trail of unexplained, confounding accidents gets longer and filled with more and more dead bodies.  Someone is out to prove something, it’s up to Randy and Danny to stop it in its tracks.

There’s a temporary addition to the team in this book and that’s Frank – and after the initiation razzing, he’s fitting into the team well, giving as good as he gets.  One of the things that attracts me most about these books is the camaraderie of the characters.  They poke and prod and make fun with each other just as you would with your coworkers and friends.  It makes it all seem more real in some ways, but that humour also serves to take the edge off the ever-growing death toll.  Because make no mistake, all the fun and light-hearted jocularity aside, these books are seriously about solving murders!

Book Three is about ready, but unavoidably delayed because of COVID, and I happen to know that Book Four is in the works as well.  While I’m sad that I’ve got to the end of these two, I’m happy to know more are coming.  Go grab them!

[Many thanks to the author for the opportunity to read a copy of this book.  This is my honest review, the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.]

Finding Miss Write, Book One

Five of five stars given, easily would have given it double, if it were possible!

“I’m thinking of killing Danny.”

Lost in thought, Carla Williams stared out at the San Antonio River.  Sitting across from her at the café table, Maggie Monroe almost choked on her iced tea.

“What?” Maggie sputtered. “Why?”

“He’s irritating the crap out of me.”

“That seems a little over the top, even for you.  You gonna shoot him?”

“I’m thinking knife.  One like my chef’s knife would work – it’s super sharp.  I’ve got the scars to prove it.  One quick slice to the neck…problem solved!”

*****

When the book opens I found myself thinking that this one would end up on my DNF pile.  A bit too cliché I thought, but as I’d been asked to review it, I soldiered on.

I’m glad I did!

You quickly get past the bit of silliness that ensues when the author’s conversation with her proof reader – characters in the book, y’alls – is overheard and, of course, misunderstood by people sitting at a nearby table.  It does get a bit more silly when the detectives show up at Carla’s door later, without having done their due diligence.  It was at the point where the accuser is right out front when Carla and Maggie are “brought in for questioning” that I about abandoned ship!  You may feel that way too.  But hang in.

This is a great tale!  Blending some real life with the fiction, Webb takes you inch by inch deeper into the story.  Her characters are strong and empathetic.  She gives you enough of their back story that you feel comfortable with them, like old friends.  And in this way she engages you so you’re bound and determined to find out just what’s going on.  There’s a point in the book – my eReader called it page 182 of 201 – where a light bulb goes off in my head and I think I have it all figured out.  I was wrong!  Nonetheless, not a total surprise ending – I pride myself on solving these, sometimes – but also not the solution I thought it would be,

A great read for a rainy afternoon – or a sunny one spent out on the terrace; I think you’ll enjoy this new series.  I’m looking forward to more of Carla and Maggie’s adventures!

[Many thanks to the author for the opportunity to read a copy of this book.  This is my honest review, the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.]

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The Write Decision, Book Two

Five of five stars given

Carla is selected to be a juror in the case of an attempt on a police officer’s life.  She’s a little worried about how the outcome of the trial might affect her newfound relationship with Roger.  But he respects her and her opinion, right?  And how did the newspapers even find out she’d been selected?

It’s going to be an interesting couple of weeks!

As the trial moves forward, Carla’s worst fears are realized.  Roger and his colleagues are counting on this guy being put behind bars.  But the more she hears, the more Carla is convinced that the prosecution hasn’t proven their case “beyond a reasonable doubt”.  When it’s declared a mistrial, the fat is proverbially in the fire.  And Carla ends up giving Roger the ring back.

Webb is masterful at creating the suspense here.  Even as I giggle at some of the interactions between the characters, I’m fully invested in finding out what happened.  And oh boy do I want to give Roger a piece of my mind!!!  In the end, the wrap up is another shot out of left field, but I love that about these books.  They aren’t your run-of-the-mill whodunnit by a long shot!

Cannot wait to see what they get into next.

Grab them both, you’ll be glad you did. 

[Many thanks to the author for the opportunity to read a copy of this book.  This is my honest review, the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.]