A Wicked Yarn by Emmie Caldwell

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "A Wicked Yarn" first in the Craft Fair Knitters Mystery series by Emmie Caldwell. Great start to a wonderful new cozy mystery series!  

A killer may craft the perfect crime, but as every knitter worth her yarn knows--murder wool out.

Mother's Day should be a cinch for the good folks of the Crandalsburg Craft Fair, and knitting enthusiast Lia Geiger has a good feeling about this year's yield. But things quickly get knotty when Lia's daughter announces she's quit her job and Lia finds herself tangled up in the murder of her best friend's ex-husband. While Belinda's alibi quickly gets her off the hook, nasty rumors spread throughout Crandalsburg that shroud the entire fair in suspicion.

Could the vendors be responsible for the murder of a man hell-bent on unraveling the fair just days before his death? Lia and her crafty group of Ninth Street Knitters must put down their needles to gather clues and save the crafting community they've grown to love.

I really enjoyed this story, with its craft fair theme.  I did one craft fair years ago and I can see how this can be a fun series with lots of quirky characters.

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and I loved the characters especially Lia and her daughter Haley plus let’s not forget Daphene the ragdoll cat and the Alpaca!  I did suspect the killer prior to Lia and Haley but it did not take away from the enjoyment.  I found myself engrossed in the story from beginning to end.

I’m looking forward to “Stitched in Crime” Coming Winter 2021

I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group 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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Murder Can Haunt Your Handiwork by Rose Pressey

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Murder Can Haunt Your Handiwork" the 3rd instalment in the "Haunted Craft Fair" Mystery series by Rose Pressey. I am a huge fan of Rose Pressey and her newest series.  It can be read as a standalone but I think it should be read in order. 

In Rose Pressey's third Haunted Craft Fair Mystery, a Gilded Age ghost helps psychic painter Celeste Cabot catch a killer during the Biltmore Estate's annual craft fair in North Carolina...

Rising up against the beautiful backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Biltmore Estate is a magnificent mansion in Asheville, North Carolina, built as a summer home for George Washington Vanderbilt II--yes, of those Vanderbilts--during the Gilded Age. Nowadays, it's the site of an annual craft fair. Unfortunately, it's also about to become a crime scene...

Celeste is hard to miss as she pulls up with her pink and white Shasta trailer and adorable Chihuahua, Van Gogh--Van for short. But before she can show off her artwork at the fair, a tour guide is found strangled by a velvet rope barrier and a valuable painting goes missing. With a rogues' gallery of sketchy suspects, Celeste welcomes the help of a pair of handsome detectives--and a ghost with a special interest in the case...

The protagonist Celeste is a likable, fun main character, with quirky supporting characters her family, her BFF Saddie and her faithful companion Van the Chihuahua.

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and had plenty of twists to keep you engrossed till the end.  The love triangle sounds like it might be coming to an end in the next book which would be nice. 

I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.

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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Wine Tastings Are Murder by Libby Klein

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Wine Tastings Are Murder" the 5th instalment in the Poppy McAllister Mystery series by Libby Klein. I love this series and I think this was best one yet. 

It's vintage Poppy when the gluten-free baker and B&B owner tries to solve a murder at a Cape May winery in Libby Klein's fifth deliciously witty, paleo-themed Poppy McAllister Mystery.

When Poppy and Aunt Ginny agreed to host a Wine and Cheese Happy Hour for a tour group at their Butterfly House Bed and Breakfast on the Jersey Shore, they never anticipated such a sour bunch. Grumpy guest Vince Baker should be in a better mood--he's filthy rich and on his honeymoon with his much younger wife Sunny, who seems to dote on him almost as much as her high-spirited teacup Pomeranian, Tammy Faye Baker.

But the honeymoon is over when Vince drops dead the next day touring the Laughing Gull Winery. Turns out he's been poisoned, and it seems like everybody on the tour is hiding something. Now Poppy has to put her gluten-free baking on the back burner and bottle up her feelings for the two men in her life while she charges after a bitter killer with a lethal case of sour grapes...

I love visiting the Jersey Shore and Poppy, Sawyer, Aunt Ginny, and the "Biddies"! Plus we cant forget about her mischievous cat, Figuro! This time around a tiny fluff ball called Tammy Faye joins in the chaos at the B&B not to mention Alexa insert laughing... 

I found the mystery was well written and paced with lots of twists and turns. It kept me guessing to the end. I can’t wait till the next instalment comes out and finding out  what Poppy does next after declaring her love. What a surprise ending didn’t see that coming!

I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.

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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Premeditated Mortar by Kate Carlisle

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Premeditated Mortar" the 8th instalment in the "Fixer Upper" Mystery series by Kate Carlisle.  I really like these mysteries as well as the TV movies.  I am hoping there will be more of both.

Contractor Shannon Hammer gets tangled up in murder at a spooky old asylum in the latest Fixer-Upper Mystery from New York Timesbestselling author Kate Carlisle. . . .

Shannon Hammer is about to embark on one of the biggest projects of her career. Her best friend Jane Hennessey has purchased one wing of the Gables, formerly the old state insane asylum, located on a bucolic hillside two miles northeast of Lighthouse Cove. Jane plans to turn her section into a small luxury hotel complete with twenty ocean-view rooms, a spa, and a restaurant.

Shannon is raring to get started on the enormous project and is shocked when a group of unruly protesters shows up at the groundbreaking ceremony and wreaks havoc. She’s even more freaked-out when someone pushes her into a pit of bricks in a closed-off room of the asylum. Despite her close call, Shannon wants nothing more than to get back to work . . . until she finds a body not far from where she was pushed. Now Shannon is determined to get to the bottom of the goings-on at the Gables even if it kills her. . . .

For me the setting of Lighthouse Cove on the northern coast of California is so beautiful then throw in a victorian former state insane asylum who doesnt get the chills.  I also really enjoy when i can gain some knowledge with respect to history and this had it in spades.  I even checked out photo of some of the asulums on Kate's website.

There were two mysteries to this story, I felt one being what was behind the brick wall and why was it bricked up to begin with and then the murder. Overall the mystery was interesting and well plotted, and I loved the characters which are well developed.

I feel like the characters are taking on some life changing events and I cant wait for the next book to see how things have progressed.

I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group 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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The House at Magpie Cove by Kennedy Kerr

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "The House at Magpie Cove" by Kennedy Kerr.  I am stepping out of my comfort zone and reading a Romance this time, instead of a mystery.  What can I say other than I loved it and read in 3 hours.  I’m adding author to my favourites list and will definitely check out her other books.

The Cornish beach house creaked in the salty sea wind and, from the weathered wooden porch, Mara watched a lone magpie circle above. It was silly to think that it somehow represented her mother’s spirit, but she had the feeling that her mother was with her, somehow. That she still hadn’t moved on: there was something keeping her here. A secret that needed to be told.

When Mara Hughes inherits her late mother’s tumbledown beach house overlooking the bright, sandy sweep of Magpie Cove, it couldn’t have come at a worse time. With her marriage on the rocks and her husband threatening to take the family home, the beach house – with all the bittersweet memories it holds – might be the thing that finally sends Mara’s world crashing down around her. She tells herself she’ll only spend a few days there: sell it and move on to rebuilding her life.

When Mara arrives, the house is in a worse state than she feared – holes in the bedroom ceiling, birds’ nests in the attic and the beautiful, wrap-around porch on the brink of collapse… but she loves it anyway. With all its history it feels like the last link to her late mother and, determined to do whatever it takes to keep it in the family, Mara strikes a deal with local handyman – and town heartthrob – Brian Oakley to save the crumbling cottage from ruin.

But when a box of unopened old letters arrives on her new doorstep – a bequest from her mother’s will – Mara’s resolve to save the beach house will be tested to the limit. Because Mara’s mother’s perfect childhood in Magpie Cove was forever spoiled by one haunting day in July, and the letters contain a secret about her family that Mara can scarcely believe to be true…

A story of secrets, family and forgiveness, this heartfelt read set in beautiful Cornwall is perfect for fans of Susanne O'Leary, Fern Britton and Rosanna Ley.

I have always been drawn to books set in the UK since a child, I think it comes from my parents being British. I visited Cornwall 4 years ago and the way this is written I was transported back and could picture it in full colour. The author was good at describing the every day life in a Cornish town, as well as taking me on an emotional journey.  

I found the characters to be well developed, and multi-dimensional. There were lots of twists and turns and multiple sub-plots to keep you engaged and interested in the outcome. It's the story of a woman who finds herself while picking up the pieces after her mums death, family secrets , friendship and love. 

I will definitely read other books by this author.

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Bookouture 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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Mrs. Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past by Traci Wilton

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Mrs. Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past" the 3rd instalment in the "Salem B&B Mystery” series by Traci Wilton.  This is the first book I have read in the series and it can easily be read as a standalone but I recommend reading them in order.

Salem, Massachusetts B&B owner Charlene Morris is looking into a holiday hit-and-run, with a little help from her ghostly housemate . . .

 

Charlene’s parents are in town for Christmas, and her mother is driving her up a tree. Her bed-and-breakfast’s resident ghost, Jack, isn’t fond of her either—and he’s showing it with some haunting high jinks. But when Charlene takes her mom and dad out for dinner, the less-than-seasonal spirits take a deadly turn.
 
David Baldwin has just won a fortune in the lottery—and it adds a lot of drama to the charity auction he’s hosting at his restaurant. When he caps off the evening by playing Santa and handing out checks to some of the attendees, the mood shifts . . . and Charlene observes mysterious tensions between David and his flashy, bleached-blonde wife, his neglected teenage son from a previous marriage, and his hostile business partner, among others. And they’re only a few on the long list of potential suspects when David runs into the road and is mowed down by a fleeing motorist. Now it looks like it’s going to be homicide for the holidays . . .

I really enjoyed this story, and it has made me want to catch up on the series.  I have the first two in paperback and the 4th pre-ordered.  I loved the characters even Charlene’s outspoken mother I could relate with to some extent.   I found Jacks antics funny and enjoyed Charlene along with Minnie and Avery a young teen from Felicity house.  I think I would like to see Charlene adopt or foster one of the children.

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing till the end.
I’m super excited to get caught up before book 4 Mrs. Morris and the Sorceress comes out March, 2021.

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

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Kensington Books, the author 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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Murder at an Irish Christmas by Carlene O’Connor

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Murder at an Irish Christmas" is the 6th instalment in the Irish Village Mystery series by Carlene O’Connor.  I love this series and was excited to be able to read an arc of it.

The O'Sullivan clan of County Cork, Ireland, are back to investigate another case of murder--this time at Christmas!

Garda Siobhán O'Sullivan's holiday plans hit a sour note when murder rearranges the Yuletide carols into unexpected eulogies...

This December in Kilbane, if you're planning to warm up with a cuppa tea at Naomi's Bistro, you may have a bit of a wait--the entire O'Sullivan brood has gone off to West Cork to spend the holidays with brother James' fiancée Elise's family, including her grandfather, the famous orchestral conductor Enda Elliot. Siobhán is so happy for James and Elise but also quietly disappointed that she must put her own wedding to fellow garda Macdara Flannery on hold. Mac will have to join them later, so he can spend part of the holidays with his mam.

When the O'Sullivans learn everyone will choose a name from a hat to buy a music-related Christmas gift for someone else at the gathering, it seems like their greatest concern--until the cantankerous conductor is discovered crushed under a ninety-pound harp in a local concert hall.

With the extended family--including Enda's much-younger new wife Leah, a virtuoso violinist--suspected in his murder, it's up to Siobhán to ensure the guilty party faces the music. But as a snowstorm strands both families in a lavish farmhouse on a cliff, Siobhán had better pick up the tempo--before the killer orchestrates another untimely demise...

I really enjoyed this story, and it has made me want to catch up on the series.  I have several of the earlier books in my TBR pile.  I loved visiting West Cork and the remote coastal village where Elise grew up.

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and I loved the characters which are well developed. Getting to know Elise’s family was a challenge as everyone had secrets but in the end you grow to like them.

I kept guessing and second-guessing myself on whodunnit right to the very end.   I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.

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,

The Malt in Our Stars by Sarah Fox

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "The Malt in Our Stars" the 3rd instalment in the "A Literary Pub" Mystery series by Sarah Fox.  I am a huge fan girl of Sarah's and love both her Cozy Mystery sesries and bonus she is a fellow Canadian! 

here''s some shady business in Shady Creek, Vermont, this spring—in the third mystery by USA Today bestselling author Sarah Fox featuring pub owner and amateur sleuth Sadie Coleman . . .
 

Sadie is delighted to have booked famous romantic suspense novelist Linnea Bliss for an event at The Inkwell, her literary-themed pub, housed in a renovated grist mill. The author and her personal assistant Marcie are staying at Shady Creek Manor, a grand historical hotel that was once a private mansion and is rumored to still hold hidden treasure somewhere within its walls. 

 

But the hotel''s storied past is nothing compared to its tragic present when Marcie plummets to her death from an open window on the third floor. After Sadie discovers signs of a struggle in the room, it''s clear that someone assisted the assistant out the window. But Marcie is new in town—who would have a motive to kill her?

 

In between pulling pints and naming literary-themed cocktails, Sadie takes it on herself to solve the case, wondering if the crime is connected to the vandalized vehicles of a film crew in town to do a feature on local brewer Grayson Blake, with whom Sadie shares a strong flirtation. Or could the poor woman''s defenestration have anything to do with the legendary treasure? As Shady Creek Manor prepares for a May Day masquerade ball, Sadie is determined to unmask the killer—but when she uncorks a whole lot of trouble, will she meet a bitter end?

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and I loved the characters which are well developed.  I love Sadie and the whole setting of Shady Creek.  It made me want to live there and walk the green just like Sadie. 

I kept guessing and second-guessing myself on whodunnit right to the very end.  I did not figure it out till the reveal and was a bit surprised.   I really look forward to reading more about Sadie and her friends.

I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.

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

Have Yourself a Fudgy Little Christmas by Nancy Coco

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Have Yourself a Fudgy Little Christmas" the 8th instalment in the  Candy-Coated Mystery series by Nancy Coco.  I really enjoy this series and visiting Mackinac Island!

In Nancy Coco's eighth Candy-Coated Mystery, Christmas on Mackinac Island brings a flurry of festive activity for fudge shop owner Allie McMurphy--but also a body in a snowbank. With fun recipes, cute pets, quirky characters, and an endearing young protagonist, the Candy-Coated Mysteries have the perfect ingredients for cozy mystery fans!

All Allie wants for Christmas is for renovations to be finished on the Historic McMurphy Hotel and Fudge Shop so she can move back home for the holidays. But for now she's staying in her friend Frances' apartment, busily baking batches of holiday fudge. After someone leaves a mysterious note on the door to meet up, the curious fudge maker goes to the rendezvous with her Bichonpoo, Mal--only to discover a woman facedown in a snowdrift. With her dying breath, the woman gasps, "Frances." The police suspect she named her killer, but Allie knows that's impossible. She needs to wrap up this case before the trail runs cold--and give her friend the gift of freedom this Christmas season...

I found myself engrossed in the story and reading in one sitting.   The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and I loved the characters which are well developed. I especially love little Mal which reminds me of my little furbaby.  Plus the recipes between each chapter are sure to please!

I kept guessing and second-guessing myself on whodunnit right to the very end. I did figure out who the villain was but the reveal was a surprise.

I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.

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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Murder at the PTA by Lee Hollis

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Murder at the PTA" the first instalment in the "A Maya and Sandra Mystery" by Lee Hollis.

Desperate Housewives meets Murder, She Wrote, in Lee Hollis’s new mystery series, where a housewife and a female private eye solve murders together in their small Maine town!

 
Someone is trying to turn Portland High into a school for scandal with a gossipy website called Dirty Laundry. The latest target of ruinous rumors is newly elected PTA president Sandra Wallage. After a heated meeting with outraged parents, Sandra runs into fellow school mom and private investigator Maya Kendrick, who's discovered the person behind the website. But when the women storm into the venomous gossip columnist’s office they find a lifeless body—along with a confession.
 
Although the police rule the death a suicide, Maya suspects an injured party hung the Dirty Laundry creator out to dry. Maya already has a PI partner—but she's pregnant, and sonograms and stakeouts tend to conflict. So when Sandra volunteers for a crash course in sleuthing, Maya accepts the help. But as these unlikely partners study the clues, a killer plans to teach them a lesson . . .

I really enjoy the Hayley Powell cozy mysteries by Lee Hollis so couldn’t wait to read this book. First in a series can be a mine of information as we get to know the main characters but I really liked getting to know Maya, a private investigator, and Sandra, a housewife whose husband is a Senator.  

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, I kept guessing and second-guessing myself on whodunnit right to the very end.   I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.

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,