Apple Pies and Poisoned Lies at the Cider Falls Festival by Traci Hall

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Apple Pies and Poisoned Lies at the Cider Falls Festival” the first instalment in Mystery series by Traci Hall. What a great start to a new series, I absolutely loved it!

Buy Here

For lovers of everything cozy and fall time, USA Today bestselling author Traci Hall brings all the autumn vibes to a brand new series featuring a family of Washington State apple orchard owners who become entangled in a murder investigation…

In the foothills of Washington’s Cascade mountains, the Smith family’s Cider Falls Orchard is at its busiest amid the bustling autumn season—but when murder enters the mix, one bad apple may have spoiled the whole barrel . . .

If you care for the land, the land will care for you.

For generations, that’s been the Smith family’s motto. Between hayrides, apple picking, bonfires, and tasty apple treats, their Cider Falls Orchard provides an autumn bounty that draws locals and tourists alike. And now, Mcintosh “Macki” Smith—named after an apple variety, just like her siblings—is home too, after a bad breakup.

Macki is glad to be on hand when her parents are sidelined by an accident, and she’s even been persuaded to enter the Cider Falls Festival’s prestigious baking competition with her famous double crust apple pie. But someone has taken the contest to deadly serious levels . . .

It seems there are plenty of surprising motives for murder, especially after Macki learns that a crooked developer wants to buy and demolish the orchard—which makes her parents’ accident increasingly suspicious. But serving up the real killer will put her in unexpected danger, because someone in this picture-perfect town finds murder as easy as pie . . .

I loved this story, the setting in the foothills of Washington’s Cascade mountains, the Smith family and the whole orchard theme. 

Overall I just loved how the story made me feel and by the end I was smiling, cheering for Mackie and wondering what life had in store for her next.

The mystery was more a sub plot to us learning about the characters which I found well developed.  To me it was a story about loyalty, community and friendship with a murder to solve.   Book one has set us up perfectly for book 2 and I can’t wait.

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

I requested and received an advance readers copy from Crooked Lane 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,

A Little Latitude by Johnnie Alexander

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "A Little Latitude by Johnnie Alexander” the 4th instalment in A Gift Shop Mystery series set in Port Huron, Michigan.  Each book is written by a different author and this time it is a new to me author.

Buy here 

A Little Latitude is the fourth book in Guideposts’ Gift Shop Mysteries fiction series. 

When an antique map appears on the doorstep at Heavenly Presents, Sarah Morgan wonders if it’s a hoax. Or could it really lead to a rumored treasure hidden near a lakeshore cottage? The remote building was once used to store ice cut from the lake to provide residents with refrigeration during the hot summer months. But local folklore claims that it was also used for smuggling in the nineteenth century. Sarah finds herself teaming up with Flint Carroway, her handsome forest ranger friend, to learn who left the map for Sarah and, of course, if the treasure rumors are true. But will someone with nefarious motives beat them to where X marks the spot? 

Meanwhile, Sarah is invited to speak at a prestigious event hosted by her alma mater. She feels undeserving of the honor and is hesitant to accept for fear of speaking in front of a crowd. Can Sarah give herself a little latitude and prove that she is exactly where she belongs? 

Why You’ll Love the Gift Shop Mysteries Series 

If you’re looking for a mystery series that’s equal parts heartwarming and intriguing, Gift Shop Mysteries is your perfect next read. Set in a charming lakeside town with a faith-filled shop owner as your guide, each book offers: 

• Captivating mysteries that keep you guessing—but never keep you up at night 
• A cast of relatable, endearing characters who feel like old friends 
• A cozy, small-town atmosphere you’ll want to escape to again and again 
• Faith-filled encouragement and hope, gently woven through every story 
• Themes of redemption, reconnection, and second chances—with God, family, and community 

Plus, each book includes delightful extras: 

• A recipe inspired by the story 
• A personal letter from the author 
• “Behind the Counter” insights into the real-life history or inspiration 
• Book club-ready discussion questions 

Whether you’re drawn to uplifting mysteries, enjoy uncovering meaningful secrets, or simply want a soul-soothing read with depth, heart, and a touch of suspense—this series was made for you. 

A Little Latitude is a charming cozy mystery with a pleasant, steady pace. Unlike many cozies, there’s no murder here. Instead, it weaves together a historical mystery with a modern-day one.

The plot revolves around an antique map that appears on the doorstep at Heavenly Presents, Sarah Morgan wonders if it’s a hoax. Or could it really lead to a rumored treasure hidden near a lakeshore cottage?

Together Sarah and Flint, look into the map and where it could lead to.  The mystery is interesting and well plotted, full of twists and turns.  I recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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 Widows’ Guide to Foul Play by Amanda Ashby

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "The Widows' Guide to Foul Play" is the 5th instalment in The Widows' Detective Club Mystery series by Amanda Ashby, and it's another entertaining read. Set in the charming village of Little Shaw, England, the story follows the bond between the four widows as they navigate another intriguing mystery.  

Buy here 

It’s pantomime season in Little Shaw, and librarian Ginny Cole has been roped in to help. The local theatre has persuaded national treasure and famously difficult diva, Monica Larkwell, to star in their production of Mother Goose, and while the celebrity’s return to the village after thirty years hasn’t exactly gone smoothly, at least nobody’s dead. Until, that is, Ginny discovers Monica’s body in her dressing room, crushed beneath a fallen chandelier.

Sure that this was no accident, Ginny gathers up the widows’ detective club and takes on the role of amateur sleuth. But between navigating Monica’s volatile entourage and unearthing secrets the actress spent decades trying to bury, this case is messier than anything Little Shaw has seen before. And then there’s the CCTV footage: the culprit was caught on camera, disguised in a giant, purple, feathered goose costume…

The widows have faced some strange cases, but a killer in a comedy bird suit…? But there’s nothing funny about murder, and if they don’t solve this case soon, it might be curtains for them all.

A wonderfully twisty and hilarious cozy mystery perfect for fans of Robert Thorogood, Sarah Yarwood-Lovett and The Thursday Murder Club series.

The characters are well-crafted and lovable, especially Ginny's mischievous cat, although he did not play as big of a part in this instalment.  I love the way things are progressing with all the characters especially Connor and the D.I.  

The quirky characters and sense of community in Little Shaw add to the novel's charm.

The mystery is well-plotted, with plenty of twists to keep readers engaged until the very end. I enjoyed guessing and second-guessing the outcome, and I managed to piece together the clues before Ginny did.

Overall, this book is a must-read for fans of cozy mysteries and heartwarming fiction. Amanda Ashby's writing is engaging, and her characters are lovable and well-crafted. I highly recommend this charming novel and look forward to the next instalment in the series.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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,