Murder at a Scottish Halloween by Traci Hall

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Murder at a Scottish Halloween” the 8th instalment in the Scottish Shire Mystery series by Traci Hall.  This has become one of my favourite Scottish cozy mysteries!  I absolutely loved this instalment and can’t wait for book 9.

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As Halloween descends upon the Scottish seaside town of Nairn, reluctant sleuth and knitting enthusiast Paislee Shaw finds herself investigating how an ancient ghost inspired a modern murder…

While Paislee will be celebrating All Hallow’s Eve by handing out candy to the trick or treaters at her Cashmere Crush sweater shop, her teenage son Brody seems to have given up the ghost. Uninterested in donning a superhero or monster costume, he’s just going to attend a party with his friends at the ice rink.

But Brody got swept up in the spirit of the season after all. Dared by the older kids, he went to the supposedly haunted Rait Ruins to capture video of a vengeful ghost. The local legend of the Rait Wraith has been passed down for generations—and still gives Paislee the creeps. While no specter actually roams the grounds, the lifeless body of university student Ailis Barclay is discovered there.

Ailis was at the ruins dressed as the ghost to prank Brody, only something went wrong. With her son traumatized and deemed a suspect, it’s up to Paislee to string together whether Ailis was a victim of the real Wraith of Rait Ruins—or of someone dangerous among the living . . .

As always I loved this latest instalment in Traci Hall’s Scottish Shire Mysteries which is a pleasant blend of cozy mystery and everyday life.  As Halloween descends upon the Scottish seaside town of Nairn, reluctant sleuth and knitting enthusiast Paislee Shaw finds herself investigating how an ancient ghost inspired a modern murder…

The murder investigation is gripping, and what makes it even more interesting is how the protagonist's personal connections get tangled up in it. With her son traumatized and deemed a suspect, the stakes are high. The author masterfully keeps the tension going, sprinkling in plenty of suspects with motives, so even with a few hunches, I didn't guess the killer until Paisley did!

I highly recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends. 

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Kensington Publishing and NetGalley.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Please join the conversation and comment below.  Have you read… If so what did you think/like

Thank you for stopping by and visiting my little blog!
I always love reading comments and getting to know my fellow cozy lovers.

Hugs,

Murder at the Campfire Cookout by Darci Hannah

Hello my cozy friends, 

Today I am reviewing “Murder at the Campfire Cookout" by Darci Hannah the 7th instalment in the "A Beacon Bakeshop Mystery" series.  I loved visiting Beacon Harbor, Michigan again and still really want to go to Upper Pennisula, Michigan!

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When Lindsey Bakewell leaves behind her lighthouse bakeshop, her boyfriend, Rory, and her Newfoundland dog, Wellington, for a glamping trip with her mother in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the bears leave them alone—but a killer doesn’t. . .

Converting the old Beacon Point lighthouse into a bakery is as adventurous as Lindsey cares to get. Her mother, Ellie, a former 80s fashion model, likes her creature comforts even more—until she sees a business opportunity for her Beacon Harbor fashion boutique when she’s invited by the Mitten Kittens Glamping Club on a woodsy getaway.

Far from roughing it, the ladies will be warm and cozy in chic vintage campers. Ellie insists Lindsey come along to win the campfire cookout contest. Campfire cooking has come a long way from bacon and beans. Soon Lindsey is making pizza, berry cobbler, and gooey Carmelita camping bars.

But the festive spirit is soon dampened when a body is found in Ellie’s camper. It seems like an accidental death until everyone’s tires are slashed and it’s clear the glampsite has become a crime scene. With no cell service to call for help, it’s up to Lindsey to smoke out the killer around the campfire . . .

Because no one is out of the woods yet.

I absolutely love this series,  this time around the friends are glamping to help Lindsey's mum design clothes for the Glamping Lifestyle.  But the festive spirit is soon dampened when a body is found in Ellie’s camper. It seems like an accidental death until everyone’s tires are slashed and it’s clear the glampsite has become a crime scene. With no cell service to call for help, it’s up to Lindsey to smoke out the killer around the campfire . . .

It was entertaining, full of twists and turns and I didn’t completely guess whodunnit until Lindsey did. Plus all the descriptions of the baked goods made my mouth water. ( recipes included in back of book)

I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends and I can’t wait for book 7

I requested and received an advanced readers copy from Kensington and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.

Please join the conversation and comment below.  Have you read… If so what did you think/like

Thank you for stopping by and visiting my little blog!

I always love reading comments and getting to know my fellow cozy lovers.

Hugs,

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All Shell Breaks Loose by Molly MacRae

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing All Shell Breaks Loose the 3rd instalment in “A Haunted Shell Shop Mystery” series by Molly MacRae set on Ocracoke Island, off the coast of North Carolina. I love this series!

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On North Carolina’s Ocracoke Island, Maureen Nash sells exquisite seashells to locals and tourists—with Bonny the shop cat and the ghost of a Welsh pirate for company. And when needed, she steps in to help the police solve a murder…

Dr. Irving Allred is boasting around town that he’s about to get his hands on an authentic haunted sword. But minutes after Maureen hears the story, a woman walks into the Moon Shell, sword in hand. She found it while walking her bulldog on the beach—and its blade is stained with what looks like blood. Looks like it’s time to call the sheriff’s department.

Allred is furious that his prize is now in police custody—and even more agitated that an unknown buyer was trying to outbid him. He’s convinced that the sword will lead him straight to the ghost he’s hunting. He’s not the only one on the Outer Banks who’s been searching for spirits, though. An odd visitor also showed up at Maureen’s shop claiming the ability sense them . . . though somehow she didn’t seem to notice Maureen’s spectral friend hanging about.

When a man who’d been camping nearby is found cut down along the shore, Maureen starts providing some unofficial assistance to Captain Rob Tate by digging into the island’s maritime history. But it’s not the only mystery she’s facing—because the shop’s resident ghost is seeing ghosts himself . . .

I enjoyed visiting Ocracoke Island off the coast of North Carolina again and hanging out with Maureen, Emrys, Burt and Glory. I also like how Maureen is starting to embrace seeing ghosts.

MacRae's writing is engaging, and her characters are well-developed and relatable. The story is skillfully paced, with unexpected twists and turns that keep readers guessing until the very end. The author's vivid descriptions of the island setting and its quirky inhabitants add to the book's charm.

I eagerly await the next instalment. If you're a fan of cozy mysteries with a paranormal twist, this book is definitely worth checking out."

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Kensington Cozies and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting my little blog!
I always love reading comments and getting to know my fellow cozy lovers.

Hugs,