Gimme Shelter by Libby Klein

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing Gimme Shelter by Libby Klein  2nd instalment in A Layla Virtue Mystery series. What a great follow up to book one, I really enjoyed it and can’t wait for book 3!

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This whip-smart, witty series packs an emotional punch within an engaging mystery as Layla Virtue, a 30-something recovering alcoholic and former cop turned party musician, finds a sideline in solving murders from her new home in a Potomac County trailer park…

An unforgettable mystery brimming with hilarity and heart for readers of Margot Douaihy, Jane Pek, and Darynda Jones.

As the song says, you can’t always get what you want. Maybe that’s why, instead of fulfilling her youthful dream of being a rock star, Layla Fortune is living in a trailer park while playing third-rate gigs, including a stint at a ʼ70s Abba brunch. Given everything else she’s been through lately, she’s not complaining (much) about satin ruffles and go-go boots. She has a squad of supportive new BFFs, and she’s reclaimed a relationship with her famous rocker dad. His recent diagnosis has brought them even closer—sharing the trailer park’s lake house, which he’s had remodeled in typically over-the-top style.

Layla’s dad loves his new community and the feeling seems mutual. So, why is one of them blackmailing him? It’s a mystery almost as baffling as the assignment Layla receives from her former Commissioner: look into the brutal murder of a mild-mannered school teacher. Archie Wilkins was bludgeoned with a candelabra, shot up with drugs, and stuffed into a church confessional. Not the kind of outcome expected for a guy reputed to be the world’s nicest.

Perhaps Archie had secrets. Perhaps everyone does, including Layla’s one-time cop colleagues. She’s been blaming herself for a deadly ambush that destroyed her career and her peace of mind, but as her new friends help Layla regain her memories, a different picture emerges, and it’s one that forces her to question so much that she’s taken as truth . . .

It was engaging, really well-written, and set in Potomac, Virginia. This is fast becoming a must read series for me.  I loved the character of Layla with all her faults and insecurities plus her new friends and who can forget Ringo

The mystery had lots of twists and turns with plenty of suspects who wanted the victim dead. I didn’t suspect the killer at all!

I highly recommend this cozy mystery series to all my friends who love a cozy with a strong support system of friends in it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Kensington Books 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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Some Like It Fudgy by Nancy Coco

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing “ Some Like it Fudgy” book 15 in the  Candy-Coated Mystery series by Nancy Coco.  I really love this series and visiting Mackinac Island!

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Allie McMurphy lives the sweet life running her world-famous fudge shop on Mackinac Island—but when a killer strikes, she has to turn from creating confections to extracting confessions . . .

TAKING A BITE OUT OF CRIME

As a gesture of goodwill, Allie is bringing a tray of assorted fudge to her new husband’s ex-wife, Melonie. But she finds Melonie’s body on the floor of her photography studio—where a remote-controlled camera keeps snapping picture after picture. In one, she’s alive, and in the next, she’s dead.

While Rowan Giles, another visitor to the shop, chatters nervously—and incessantly—Allie dials the police, though she encourages her husband to leave the case to another officer. Several unidentified people were leaving when she arrived on the scene. Nevertheless, Rowan is the top suspect, thanks to one thing she didn’t talk about: her bitter relationship with Melonie. Was Rowan just stirring the pot with all her gossipy gabbing?

Allie’s not so sure. She’s learning about some dark secrets in Melonie’s past. And identifying an obvious suspect is one thing, but finding the truth is a whole other kettle of fudge . . .

I found myself engrossed in the story and reading in a couple days.   The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and I loved the characters which are well developed.  I liked the new character of Rowan Giles and look forward to reading more about her and her Great Dane Finn.

I kept guessing and second-guessing myself on whodunnit right to the very end. I did figure out who the villain was shortly before Allie did. 

I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends and can’t wait for the next instalment to come out!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Kensington Books 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,

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Death by Chocolate Ladyfingers by Sarah Graves

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing “ Death by Chocolate Ladyfingers” is the 9th instalment in the "Death By Chocolate" mystery series by Sarah Graves.

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The townsfolk of Eastport, Maine, know the best place to satisfy their sweet tooth is at Jacobia “Jake” Tiptree and Ellie White’s bakery, the Chocolate Moose. But some people living in the island town have more sinister appetites…

As the sun sets on summer in Eastport, local celebrations are in full swing—and Jake and Ellie have their hands full supplying the most decadent of desserts for extended family gatherings, class reunions, and other catered events. The organizers for Eastport High School’s Class of ’86 reunion thought it would be fun for former schoolmates to dress up in costume for a masquerade ball. Unfortunately, masks cannot hide old grudges borne out of teenage angst. So when Cindy Munson’s body is discovered murdered on the night of the dance, suspicion immediately falls upon Eastport High’s one-time notorious school bully, Terry Lawson.

Don attended the dance to apologize to those he harassed, only to be publicly rebuffed by Cindy. With the evidence stacked against him—Cindy’s body was found in his car—and no memory of what happened, Don is arrested. He’s more concerned about his six-year-old daughter going into child services than his own jail time. Remembering her own experiences in foster care, Jake volunteers to look after the little girl while conducting her own investigation into the night of the dance with Ellie.

But someone doesn’t want the amateur sleuths digging up past, humiliating secrets that may point to vengeful present-day motives—even if it means adding Jake and Ellie to a killer’s body count . . .

I enjoy this series set in the village of Eastport, Maine and really like protagonist Jake and her BFF Ellie. Plus I love her family especially Bella.  There was lots of excitement this go around with a high school reunion and masquerade ball…

There were plenty of twists and turns to keep me wanting to find out what will happen next. The book was engaging from start to finish, grabbing your attention from the very start.

 I highly recommend this series to all my cozy friends.

I requested and received an Advanced Readers copy from Kensington Books 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, 

Follow my blog with Bloglovin