Homecoming and Homicide by Jody Holford

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing “ Homecoming and Homicide” by Jody Holford book 2 in the Wannabe Slueth Mystery series.  What a great follow up to book one! I found it to be just as enjoyable and entertaining full of loveable characters that I like to call friends.  Releases January 10th ….

Preorder here 

She doesn’t remember high school being so complicated…or as deadly. 

Rainbow Falls newcomer Annie Abbott is finally feeling settled in town with her veterinarian boyfriend and their two curious kittens. The local high school is raising money for their drama program and, eager to help, Annie volunteers for the carnival’s photo booth, using her graphic design skills to create fun backdrops and mentor a group of students. The only dark cloud is a run in with an unpleasant teacher who’s critical of her teenage neighbor, Tate, and his girlfriend.

On the night of the carnival, Annie discovers the not-so-nice teacher dead. She and her motley crew of murder club sleuths leap into action to help clear her own name along with Tate’s. Luckily for both of them, there are plenty of suspects who had it out for the victim. Complicating Annie’s illicit investigation further? A mystery stalker with a vendetta against her.

As Annie and her friends chase clues, it’s becoming increasingly clear that not everyone is happy with her decision to make Rainbow Falls her home.

I found the story engaging and really well-written, with that wonderful small town feel and excellent characters. 

The protagonist Annie was intelligent, likeable, and the friends she made were people I would like to hang out with especially the “Undercover Sleuths”.  I found myself thoroughly enjoying the story and the romance between Ben and Annie.   

The mystery was well written and had plenty of suspects who wanted the victim dead.  I did not suspect the killer at all! There were a few red herrings but I was totally engrossed in what was happening. 

I can't wait for the next instalment Spring Break Slaying coming in May 2023 !

I highly recommend this cozy mystery series to all my friends who love a cozy with romance thrown in.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from the author and Tule Publishing. All of the above opinions are my own.

Jody Holford writes both contemporary romance and cozy mysteries. She lives in British Columbia with her family.
She's unintentionally funny and rarely on time for anything.
When picking up her titles, you can expect a little heat and a lot of heart.  If she's not writing, you'll find her reading, doodling, or drinking Diet Pepsi.

Website:        http://www.jodyholfordauthor.com/ 

Blog:             www.jodyholford.weebly.com/blog 

Twitter:         https://twitter.com/jody_holford 

Facebook:     https://www.facebook.com/Authorjodyholford/ 

Goodreads:   https://www.goodreads.com/author/dashboard 

Bookbub:      https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jody-holford 

Newsletter:   http:/eepurl.com/cftRf1


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The Game is a Footnote by Vicki Delany

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing “The Game is a Footnote” the 8th instalment in "A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop" Mystery series by Vicki Delany. It can easily be read as a standalone but I recommend reading in order.  

Gemma Doyle and Jayne Wilson are back on the case when a body is discovered in a haunted museum in bestselling author Vicki Delany's eighth Sherlock Holmes Bookshop mystery.

Scarlet House, now a historical re-enactment museum, is the oldest building in West London, Massachusetts. When things start moving around on their own, board members suggest that Gemma Doyle, owner of the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium, might be able to get to the bottom of it. Gemma doesn’t believe in ghosts, but she agrees to ‘eliminate the impossible’. But when Gemma and Jayne stumble across a dead body on the property, they’re forced to consider an all too physical threat.

Gemma and Jayne suspect foul play as they start to uncover more secrets about the museum. With the museum being a revolving door for potential killers, they have plenty of options for who might be the actual culprit.

Despite Gemma's determination not to get further involved, it would appear that once again, and much to the displeasure of Detective Ryan Ashburton, the game is afoot.

Will Gemma and Jayne be able to solve the mystery behind the haunted museum, or will they be the next to haunt it?

I enjoyed this mystery, thought it flowed well and kept my attention.  The setting of West London in Cape Cod is idyllic and this time the action is centred around Scarlet House Museum. 

I loved the characters of Gemma and BFF Jayne along with Mrs. Ramsbatten and Ryan. Gemma and Ryan's relationship is progressing nicely and I like how they are compromising to keep things harmonious.  We got to know Gemma’s sister Pippa more in this book and I liked how she was in same line of work as Sherlock’s brother Mycroft.   The side story with Gemma’s employee Ashleigh was nice as it showed a softer side of Gemma.

I look forward to the next book in this series and seeing where their relationship goes.

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, with enough twists to keep you interested.  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 Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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

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Death in the Margins by Victoria Gilbert

Hello my cozy friends, 

Today I am reviewing “ Death in the Margins” by Victoria Gilbert the 5th instalment in the "Blue Ridge Library Mystery" series. I really enjoyed it.

The theater is no place for murder—but a case of backstage betrayal drags library director Amy Webber into a case that could mean curtains in critically acclaimed author Victoria Gilbert’s Blue Ridge Library mystery.

It’s early summer, and while Richard Muir and his dance partner, Karla, are preparing their new choreographic piece, Richard’s wife, Amy, is gathering the dance’s source materials. Based on folktales and the music of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the production is set to premiere at an old cinema that has been converted to a theater. But when dancer Meredith Fox—Richard’s former fiancé—is found dead backstage, Amy is once again propelled into a murder case that threatens the careers and lives of those she loves.

After Amy teams up with Chief Deputy Brad Tucker and the sheriff’s department to discover the killer, they find that there’s no shortage of suspects: Meredith’s wealthy ex-husband, several fellow dancers, a romantically spurned accompanist, and others whom the talented but haughty dancer dismissed or betrayed over the years.

With Richard and Karla's help, and information gleaned from locals who know a wealth of small-town secrets, Amy desperately tries to unveil the killer before the premiere. But she’s pursuing a ruthless murderer who’s willing to kill again—and who might just be waiting for Amy in the wings.

I found myself engrossed in the story and reading it almost straight through. It was entertaining, full of twists and turns as well as a few surprises.

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and I loved the characters which are well developed. I loved the friendship between Amy and her bff Sunny.  

I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends.

I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Crooked Lane and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.

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A Christmas Candy Killing by Christina Romeril

Hello my cozy friends, 

Today I am reviewing “A Christmas Candy Killing“ by Christina Romeril the 1st instalment in the "A  Killer Chocolate Mystery" series.  This is a great start to a new series, reminds me of Joanne Fluke Hannah Swanson series.

Their chocolates are to die for—but things aren’t so sweet when a real killer comes to town, in this debut mystery perfect for fans of Joanne Fluke and Laura Childs.

Identical twin sisters Alex and Hannah are the owners of Murder and Mayhem, a mystery bookshop that sells their famous poison-themed Killer Chocolates. But now, there’s a real killer in their midst. Shortly before Christmas, their septuagenarian neighbor, Jane, confides to Alex that a murderer from a true-crime show has taken up residence in the village. Unfortunately, she’s also shared her suspicions with town gossip Netta. The next morning, Alex shows up at Jane’s house to watch the show, but instead discovers Jane's body, with a box of Killer Chocolates nearby.

The sheriff quickly zeroes in on two suspects: Alex, a beneficiary in Jane’s will, and Zack, a handyman who was seen leaving the crime scene. But Alex maintains her innocence and sets out to draft a list of other potential suspects—townsfolk who’d recently been seen arguing with Jane.

When Alex gets hold of Jane’s journal, she begins to understand the truth. But a bearer of ill tidings is arriving early this year—and Alex just might not make it to Christmas.

Twin sisters, Alex and Hannah, owners of a mystery bookstore, in small town Montana, that also sells poisoned themed chocolates. A friend and elderly neighbor confides to Alex about her suspicions that a fellow villager is a murderer, as seen on a true crime show, but that friend and neighbor is soon found dead. Naturally, the twins need to investigate. 

It was entertaining, full of twists and turns and I didn’t completely guess whodunnit until Alex and Hannah did.  plus all the descriptions of the chocolates made my mouth water.

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

I requested and received an advance readers copy from NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.

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

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

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Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

I hope all of you are having a happy and safe holiday season, whether you practice Christmas, another holiday, or are just enjoying the winter season!

This year, we won’t be with family… 

But we are use to zoom chats with my sister and her family, phone calls to my mum now since covid-19 and all the variants...  My husband is known to be a Grinch as the holidays are not the best for him, so he is happy.   

Our Christmas theme this year is all things Grinch!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of you!

Thank you for stopping by and visiting my little blog!

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

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Murder on the Class Trip by Lee Hollis

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Murder on the Class Trip" the 3rd instalment in the "A Maya and Sandra Mystery" by Lee Hollis.

In the new installment from veteran Hollywood screenwriter Lee Hollis, friends, moms, and P.I. partners Maya and Sandra have left their hometown of Portland, Maine, on a school trip to Washington, D.C.—where a killer has just added murder to the itinerary. . .

Drafted as chaperones, Maya Kendrick and PTA president Sandra Wallage are accompanying the SoPo High seniors to the nation’s capital—much to the embarrassment of Maya’s daughter Vanessa and Sandra’s son Ryan. Now both moms are about to find out which is harder—shepherding unruly high schoolers or solving a murder. The last sight they expected to see on this trip is a female intern who works for Sandra’s soon-to-be-ex-husband, Senator Stephen Wallage, in a fatally compromising position.

Desperate to avoid scandal, Stephen begs Maya and Sandra to solve the case. But their FBI counterparts—tough-as-nails agents Markey and Rhodes—are far less enthusiastic about the meddling of two “amateurs.” With suspects ranging from senators to students to stalkers, Maya and Sandra must follow a twisty trail of clues so they can catch a killer and survive to make the return trip . . .

I really enjoyed this instalment, I really liked seeing Sandra in her element of Washington DC.

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,

Frozen Detective by Amanda Flower

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing “Frozen Detective“ by Amanda Flower the 2nd instalment in “A Piper and Porter Mystery” series.  What a great follow up to book one!  I really enjoyed this book.

Murder on the ski slopes.
The weapon? A bow and arrow.
The suspects? Every guest at the villa.

Intrigue, a fake relationship, and humor come together in a Knives Out-style cozy mystery from bestselling author Amanda Flower and Hallmark Publishing.

A wealthy doctor invites many of his associates to spend a week at a giant, luxurious ski villa. Darby Piper, a seasoned private eye, and Tate Porter, her new partner at the detective agency, are among the guests, going undercover as a romantic couple. They were hired by the doctor’s much-younger wife to investigate anonymous threats against her husband’s life. But before long, Darby and Tate are investigating a murder instead.

As they dig up buried grudges, Darby’s jealous ex-boyfriend on the police force thinks they’re wasting their time. Will Darby and Tate figure out who the killer is…or will it become another cold case?

This cozy mystery contains a free Hallmark original recipe for Goat Cheese Phyllo Puffs

I really enjoyed this story, and I can’t wait for the next instalment! 

As they dig up buried grudges, Darby’s jealous ex-boyfriend on the police force thinks they’re wasting their time. Will Darby and Tate figure out who the killer is…or will it become another cold case?

I love Tiny the Saint Barnard, he was adorable 

I enjoyed the tension between Darby, her ex Austin and Tate Porter.  Part of me wonders if Tate liked Darby back in school and that’s the friction between him and Austin. 

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and I loved the characters which are well developed.
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 Hallmark Publishing 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,

Through the Liquor Glass by Sarah Fox

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Through the Liquor Glass" the 5th instalment in the "A Literary Pub" Mystery series by Sarah Fox.  I love both of Sarah’s Cozy Mystery series but Sadie and Shady Creek hold a special place in my heart as I like the whole concept of a Literary Pub.  I had the pleasure of meeting Sarah this summer as she lives in my hometown,  she is as likeable as her main characters and I wish her nothing but the best in her new series “A True Confections Mystery”

Fall is in full swing in the picturesque New England town of Shady Creek, Vermont, and Sadie Coleman, owner of the literary-themed Inkwell pub, is serving up delicious food and drinks with a side of sleuthing in the latest Literary Pub Mystery from USA Today bestselling author Sarah Fox…

Autumn brings a wonderland of color and atmosphere to Vermont. As the last leaves fall from the trees, the town is gearing up for a new festival: A Taste of Shady Creek. Pub proprietor Sadie Coleman is looking forward to visitors coming to sample her literary-themed cocktails. She’s a little more wary about her mother’s impending first visit. What if her mom doesn’t like Sadie’s adopted town—or her new boyfriend, Grayson Blake?
Those concerns are overshadowed when a food critic is found dead at Grayson’s craft brewery, pinned under a barrel. Curiouser and curiouser—the victim is linked to Grayson’s past as a private investigator, and all the evidence points to him as the killer. While Grayson lays low, Sadie starts some investigating of her own, diving down a rabbit hole of suspects. Was it a bad review that made the killer mad as a hatter? Or are there other motives at play?

In between serving Kiss of the Cider Woman cocktails and book-minded bites to festival goers, Sadie is striving to clear Grayson’s name. But it’ll take more than a dash of ingenuity to prevent the festival from fizzing out completely—and stop a killer from downing another innocent life . . .
 

I really love this series and am sad this will be the last book.  

The characters are well developed and I love the whole setting of Shady Creek, with its shops around the green, the local busybody, inclusion of children, Sadies friends and fellow shop owners. It made me want to live there and walk the green just like Sadie does. 

The romance between Sadie and Grayson is heading in the right direction and Sadie’s mum finally got to meet him and see she has a happy life in Shady Creek even if there has been a few murders.

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and 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 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,

Steeped in Secrets by Lauren Elliott

Hello my cozy friends, 

Today I am reviewing Steeped in Secrets by Lauren Elliott the 1st instalment in the "A  Crystals & CuriosiTeas Mystery " series.  I loved this book and totally added it to my favourite series list!

From the USA Today bestselling author of the Beyond the Page Bookstore Mysteries, the first installment in a new series featuring Shay Myers, intuitive gemologist and owner of a New Age tea and crystals shop in beautiful coastal California’s Monterey Peninsula.

Flat broke and divorced, intuitive gemologist Shay Myers has changed since leaving her artsy hometown of coastal Bray Harbor sixteen years ago. But when she moves back under strange circumstances, old instincts may be the only key to spilling the tea on a deadly mystery.

Even with her life in ruins in New Mexico, Shay feels uneasy about settling into the small seaside town where she grew up on California’s Monterey Peninsula and taking over an estate bequeathed to her by Bridget Early, a woman she had barely known. Her heightened senses—an empathic gift she’s had since childhood—go into overdrive upon touring Crystals & CuriosiTEAS, Bridget’s eclectic tea and psychic shop brimming with Irish lore and Celtic symbols. They reach a boiling point when Shay looks up to discover a stranger’s body sprawled across the shop’s greenhouse roof . . .

With her new business a crime scene and questions brewing over Bridget’s so-called accidental death, Shay fears she’s also inherited the attention of a killer. The terrifying realization sets her on an impractical investigation for answers aided by her sister, an elusive pure-white German Shepherd, a strikingly handsome pub owner who speaks in a gentle brogue, and a misunderstood young woman with perceptive talents of her own. As Shay struggles to figure out her true purpose in Bray Harbor and the powerful connection she has with the tea shop, she must trust her judgment above all else to identify a ruthless murderer and save herself from becoming victim number three.

I am a big fan of Lauren’s other series so knew I would probably like this one as I’m a sucker for a little magic in my cozies.  

Another thing I enjoyed was the relationship that developed between Shay and Tassi.  I’m curious to find out what happened to Bridget in future books and see where Liam and Shay …

The story is well-written and plotted and I found it entertaining, full of twists and turns and I didn’t completely guess whodunnit until Shay did. 

I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends and I can’t wait for book 2 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.

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

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

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Berry the Evidence by Peg Cochran

Hello my cozy friends, 

Today I am reviewing Berry the Evidence by Peg Cochran the 7th instalment in the “A Cranberry Cove Mystery" series.  I believe I read a few of the earlier books but not the whole series, this can be read as a stand alone as I had no problem following along. 

An unscrupulous realtor pays the ultimate closing costs in the new Cranberry Cove Mystery from USA Today bestselling author Peg Cochran!

Autumn is settling in on Cranberry Cove, but things are starting to heat up when Monica’s stepmother shows up at her back door gripped by panic. Gasping out an explanation, she tells Monica she’d been dozing in her realtor’s car when he was shot dead. Refusing to alert the police for fear that the killer will target her next—or that the police will consider her their prime suspect—Monica’s stepmother goes mute, and Monica decides to track down the culprit herself to clear her name and keep her safe.

Finding the killer won’t be so easy, though, as the victim had run afoul of buyers, sellers, and even other realtors at one time or another, and it seems that nearly everyone in the small town had a reason to want him dead. Even more puzzling is that the deeper Monica digs into the background and final days of the victim, the more the clues point to her stepmother. Then a second body is found, and Monica realizes she’s going up against a devious killer who will stop at nothing to put everyone involved out of commission . . .

Includes a mouthwatering muffin recipe!

I found myself engrossed in the story and reading it over a couple of days.  I love the characters of Penelope and Figgy and Mrs. Danvers the cat.

Overall the mystery was entertaining, full of twists and turns as well as a few surprises.  I didnt guess the killer before Monica this time!

I can’t wait to read the next book and see how things are at the Sassamanash Farm store.

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

I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Beyond the Page Publishing 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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