May 15, 2026

The Armchair Detectives by Matt Dunn

Hello my cozy friends, 

Today I am reviewing The Armchair Detectives by Matt Dunn.  What a great start to a new series, I enjoyed this book and look forward to book 2.

They might be over the hill but they’re far from six feet under and now there’s a murder to solve!

Meet Martin Maxwell. As a former government operative, at eighty-four-years young he always pictured a retirement sipping shaken-not-stirred martinis on a far-flung island. But in need of some care after a new hip, he finds himself at Twilight Lodge on the decidedly cloudy English coast.

From the outside, it’s a picture-perfect place to recuperate. But when popular resident Elsie dies unexpectedly, Martin suspects foul play. She’s the third death in less than two weeks and always had a clean bill of health. Armed with a walking stick and his trusty notebook and pen, Martin decides to investigate.

While nobody believes him – death is an inevitable part of care home life after all – Martin is convinced something sinister is afoot. With his wheelchair-bound sidekick and former nemesis Albie in tow, they begin questioning the residents. Soon they learn that there are several suspects in the frame.

When they discover Albie’s love interest Barbara is in the killer’s sights, Martin knows time is running out. Will Albie’s heart be broken forever, or can they battle the effects of old age andeach other, outwitting a murderer before it’s too late?

An absolutely hilarious and heartwarming cozy mystery perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Robert Thorogood, Jesse Q. Sutanto and Only Murders in the Building.

It was entertaining, full of twists and turns and I did guess whodunnit but that did not distract from the story.  I’m sure in the next book character development and plot will improve and I won’t be able to guess. 

I recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends and I can’t wait for book 2 to come out!
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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May 14, 2026

Dungeons and Danger by Elizabeth Penney

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Dungeons and Danger” the 2nd instalment in The Ravensea Castle Mystery series by Elizabeth Penney set in the picturesque village of Monkwell, Yorkshire. What a great follow up to book one! 
The second in Elizabeth Penney's Ravensea Castle cozy mystery series, set in a haunted castle-turned-B&B in Yorkshire, UK. 

As Halloween approaches, Ravensea Castle is bustling with excitement as Nora Asquith welcomes the fall season guests to her family's newly converted bed and breakfast. A historian studying the movements of the Vikings has traced their exploits to Ravensea. A certain Viking woman, known as the Red Maiden, landed here and the historian believes she buried a treasure hoard before the castle was built. He is hopeful he can find the hoard now. Nora can't help but wonder if the enigmatic castle ghost she's always referred to as the woman in red could be this very Viking?

Meanwhile, a team of four ghost hunters is coming to stay at Ravensea for the filming of Britain's Got Ghosts. Former students of the historian, the group arrives with their own rivalries and baggage. They try to see who can make the most paranormal contacts and end up getting more than they bargained for.

When the historian is murdered during a Viking festival on castle grounds and his notes go missing, Nora can't help but wonder if the treasure was why he was killed . . . and could it be connected to the visiting ghost hunters? Additional "accidents" befalling the hunters raise the stakes as Nora races to find the killer—and the treasure—before another death occurs.

I absolutely loved this story, the castle setting during Halloween along with the whole Viking and treasure hunting themes. 

I really like Nora, and her sister Tamsyn and I cant forget the furbabys Ruffian – a battered tabby, Rolf – a 200lb English mastiff and kitten, Primrose..  Makes you wish you were part of their little community.

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and had plenty of twists to keep engaged right to the very end.  I kept guessing and second-guessing myself but I was right on who the killer was.     

I highly recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends. I can’t wait for book 3!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from St. Martins Press 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,


May 13, 2026

Murder in Season by Rosie Sandler

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Murder in Season” the 5th instalment in The Gardener Mystery series by Rosie Sandler set across England.  This time we are in the Essex.

The past can't stay buried forever...

Steph Williams and her inimitable dog Mouse are in picture-perfect 
Greenhaven, Essex - an Art Deco village built for factory workers in the 1920s. Tasked with designing a Centenary Garden, Steph is about to dig up more history than she bargained for. 

Because Greenhaven's charm hides more than a few tangled roots. From the poison pen of the Green Raven to the prickly Heritage Society, village gossip, rivalries and resentments run as wild as the weeds Steph's here to tame.

And when Steph's digger turns up two skeletons, she knows her project could be at the root of it all. But she'll have to tread carefully in this closed community, where everyone has something to hide.

When a fresh body shocks the village, it seems that murder is in season at Greenhaven. Can Steph unearth the truth before the killer decides she's dug too deep?

Gardener-turned-amateur-sleuth, Steph Williams finds herself pruning suspects instead of roses in this charming and unputdownable cosy crime novel. Perfect for fans of Fiona Leitch, M.C. Beaton and Richard Osman!

I enjoyed this story. As I have stated previously, I really like the bond between Steph and Mouse, but in this instalment I love the bond that forms between Steph and Nellie.  I hope Nellie pops up on further stories.  

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and had plenty of twists to keep you engaged right to the very end..     

I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends. I can’t wait for book 6!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I requested and received an advance readers copy from NetGalley and the publisher.  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,

The Armchair Detectives by Matt Dunn

Hello my cozy friends,  Today I am reviewing The Armchair Detectives by Matt Dunn.  What a great start to a new series, I enjoyed this book ...