Castle Ever Dark by Sara Knightly

Hello my friends, 

Today I am reviewing “Castle Ever Dark by Sara Knightly.  I loved this sequel to Secrets Ever Green even more than the first book! 

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The secrets have bloomed . . . beware of the thorns.

Ivy Rune is shocked to receive a position at the Count’s forbidden castle, until the Count’s charming young heir, Jack reveals her late father’s connection there. Ivy accepts, determined to finally uncover her father’s secret life and learn more about her magic.

But the castle holds more secrets than her father’s last journal. Unspoken rules govern the halls, danger lurks around every corner, and knowing who to trust is impossible. Soon it’s clear that her father's secrets are not the only ones hidden in these walls—others are keeping secrets too.

When Ivy discovers a friend in grave danger and learns the dark reason behind the Count’s Woodworking Tournament, she is desperate to protect her friend and escape. To succeed, Ivy must solve her father's clues and unlock her true potential. But if she fails, Ivy will meet the same mysterious fate that claimed her father.

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A Note From the Publisher

Castle Ever Dark continues Ivy's journey from Book One, Secrets Ever Green. 

If you enjoyed the grand halls in House of Salt and Sorrows and the gothic atmosphere of Belladonna, you'll love this lush fantasy world brimming with suspense, magic, and friendship.

🥀 Secret castle hallways 
🥀 Magical suspense
🥀 Slow-burn romance

I devoured this captivating sequel in one sitting, utterly enthralled by the continuation of Ivy and York’s journey! The story masterfully weaves together themes of friendship, trust, and the unknown, with a dash of mystery and magic that will keep you spellbound. I found myself deeply invested in Ivy's struggles, as her fears and anxieties were portrayed with remarkable realism. I'm now eagerly awaiting book three! 

If you're a fan of YA fantasy, do yourself a favor and add this series to your reading list - you won't regret it!"

I requested and received an advance readers copy from 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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Come Shell or High Water by Molly MacRae

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing Come Shell or High Water the first instalment in “A Haunted Shell Shop Mystery” series by Molly MacRae set on Ocracoke Island, off the coast of North Carolina. What a great start to a new series!

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When widowed folklorist Maureen Nash visits a legendary North Carolina barrier island shell shop, she discovers its resident ghost pirate and the mystery of a local’s untimely death . . .

 As a professional storyteller, Maureen Nash can’t help but see the narrative cues woven through her life. Like the series of letters addressed to her late husband from a stranger—the proprietor of The Moon Shell, a shop on Ocracoke Island, off the coast of North Carolina. The store is famous with shell collectors, but it’s the cryptic letters from Allen Withrow, the shop’s owner, that convince Maureen to travel to the small coastal town in the middle of hurricane season. At the very least, she expects she’ll get a good story out of the experience, never anticipating it could end up a murder mystery . . .   In Maureen’s first hours on the storm-lashed island, she averts several life-threatening accidents, stumbles over the body of a controversial Ocracoke local, and meets the ghost of an eighteenth-century Welsh pirate, Emrys Lloyd. To the untrained eye, all these unusual occurrences would seem to be random misfortunes, but Maureen senses there may be something connecting these stories. With Emrys’s supernatural assistance, and the support of a few new friends, Maureen sets out unravel the truth, find a killer, and hopefully give this tale a satisfying ending . . . while also rewriting her own.

Rating: 4.5 stars 

The first installment in the 'A Haunted Shell Shop Mystery' series, 'Come Shell or High Water' by Molly MacRae, is a captivating debut that sets the stage for a promising new series. Set on Ocracoke Island off the coast of North Carolina, this mystery novel expertly weaves together elements of suspense, humor, and supernatural intrigue.

When widowed folklorist Maureen Nash visits a legendary North Carolina barrier island shell shop, she discovers its resident ghost pirate and the mystery of a local’s untimely death . . .

MacRae's writing is engaging, and her characters are well-developed and relatable. The story is skillfully paced, with unexpected twists and turns that keep readers guessing until the very end. The author's vivid descriptions of the island setting and its quirky inhabitants add to the book's charm.

Overall, 'Come Shell or High Water' is an excellent start to the 'A Haunted Shell Shop Mystery' series, and I eagerly anticipate the next installment. If you're a fan of cozy mysteries with a paranormal twist, this book is definitely worth checking out."

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Kensington Cozies 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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A Cornish Campsite Murder by Fiona Leitch

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "A Cornish Campsite Murder” the 7th instalment in The Nosey Parker Cozy Mystery series by Fiona Leitch.  I cannot get enough of this series, if you love mysteries set in England this is for you!

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Jodie ‘Nosey’ Parker is back in 2024 with a brand new Cornish mystery to unravel…

Just along the coast from Penstowan, the local festival has filled the area with revellers young and old. Former Met police officer Jodie ‘Nosey’ Parker has agreed to step in and help run the Pie Hard food truck, along with her rather reluctant fiancé, DCI Nathan Withers.

As they prepare for a weekend of camping and being elbow deep in shortcrust pastry, Jodie hadn’t bargained on witnessing a fight between members of the lead band.

But when the body of one of the band members is found not far from the campsite, Jodie finds it hard to believe it was an accident. Especially when the other members had so much to gain…

I love visiting Cornwall and Jodie, Daisy, and her mum but let’s not forget about Germaine the Pomeranian! This time we are attending the annual music festival with it seems like the whole family and friends in one capacity or another. I like where Jodie’s relationship with Nathan is going and the dynamics between him and Daisy as well as Jodie’s mum.

The mystery was really interesting, well plotted, and had just enough twists to keep you engrossed and wanting to know what happens next. I really hope there will be a book 8 coming out soon, as I can’t get enough of this series.

I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Harper Collins UK.  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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The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood

Hello my cozy friends, 

Today, I am reviewing the first installment in the 'Marlow Murder Club' series, penned by Robert Thorogood, the creative mind behind the BBCOne show 'Death in Paradise'. I thoroughly enjoyed this engaging read and appreciated the author's writing style, which skillfully weaves a captivating mystery that keeps readers enthralled until the very end.

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To solve an impossible murder, you need an impossible hero…

Judith Potts is seventy-seven years old and blissfully happy. She lives on her own in a faded mansion just outside Marlow, there’s no man in her life to tell her what to do or how much whisky to drink, and to keep herself busy she sets crosswords for The Times newspaper.

One evening, while out swimming in the Thames, Judith witnesses a brutal murder. The local police don’t believe her story, so she decides to investigate for herself, and is soon joined in her quest by Suzie, a salt-of-the-earth dog-walker, and Becks, the prim and proper wife of the local Vicar.

Together, they are the Marlow Murder Club.

When another body turns up, they realise they have a real-life serial killer on their hands. And the puzzle they set out to solve has become a trap from which they might never escape…

As a long-time fan of Robert Thorogood's work on the 'Death in Paradise' television series, I was eagerly anticipating his debut novel, 'The Marlow Murder Club'. I am pleased to report that this initial installment in the series did not disappoint. The story introduces a delightful ensemble of female amateur sleuths, whose unlikely friendships are forged in the midst of murder and mystery.

The plot is engaging, with numerous twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. I appreciated the author's skillful pacing and character development, which made it easy to become invested in the lives of the protagonists. The novel's conclusion was satisfying, and I am eager to see how the series evolves in the next installment.

I highly recommend 'The Marlow Murder Club' to fans of cozy mysteries and amateur sleuth stories. The book has also been adapted into a television movie in the UK, written by the author himself, which I found to be equally enjoyable.

Overall, I am excited to continue following this series and seeing where the author takes these intriguing characters next."

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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A Collection of Lies by Connie Berry

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing A Collection of Lies, book 5 in the “A Kate Hamilton Mystery” series by Connie Berry which releases June 18th.

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In USA Today bestselling author Connie Berry’s fifth Kate Hamilton mystery, American antiques dealer Kate Hamilton follows bloodstained clues to discover the truth about the murder of a modern-day Victorian gentleman.

As Kate Hamilton and her new husband, DI Tom Mallory, honeymoon in Devon, a local history museum asks them to trace the provenance of a bloodstained dress said to belong to a Victorian lacemaker accused of murder. If genuine, the dress and its puzzling connections to a nineteenth-century Romani family who camped on Dartmoor will be the centerpiece of a new historic crimes exhibit—exactly Kate’s kind of mystery. But matters turn deadly when a shot is fired during a fundraising gala, injuring the man who donated the dress.

The injured donor, Gideon Littlejohn, is a cybersecurity expert who lives and dresses as a Victorian gentleman, but everyone believes the real target of the attack to be another attendee—a controversial politician intent on rooting out local corruption. This belief is overturned when Gideon is found dead in a pool of blood. But then the politician receives a death threat.

Who was the real target? Who would want to kill both a man with an obsession for history and a tough-on-crime politician? When asked to assist in the investigation, Kate races to discover the truth, as it becomes clear the killer isn’t going to come quietly.

I loved visiting the village of Coombe Mallet, in Devon, and hanging out with Kate, and Tom on their working honeymoon. I found myself engrossed in the story and reading it in over a couple of days. 

Kate's inquiry into the mysterious past leads her to uncover the fascinating stories of two skilled working-class women, Nancy Thorne, a talented lacemaker, and her sister Sally Tucker, a proficient seamstress. However, it is a local researcher and librarian who proves instrumental in providing crucial insights into the sisters' lives, the Romani community present in the area at the time, and even potential suspects connected to the ongoing murder investigation.

I did not suspect the killer right away, there were lots of twists and turns to keep me absorbed in the story. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good traditional British cozy mystery with a historical background.

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Crooked Lane 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.

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Olive You to Death by Lynn Cahoon

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Olive You to Death” the 16th instalment in the "Tourist Trap” Mystery series by Lynn Cahoon. This is one of my favourite cozy mystery series! 

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In the coastal town of South Cove, June is tourist season—and wedding season. Unfortunately, Jill Gardner’s own wedding has been delayed. But that just gives her more time to search for a missing bride—and a killer . . .

Things are looking up for the owner of Coffee, Books, and More—Jill’s finally getting her MBA, and though her wedding to police detective Greg is postponed a few months, she still has plenty to celebrate. A girls’ weekend in Santa Barbara is just the ticket. But back in South Cove, someone else’s big day has become a big problem. Antiques dealer Josh Thomas and Mandy Jensen were planning a small private ceremony under an olive tree on the historic Jensen farm—until Mandy went missing . . .

Is this a case of a runaway bride—or a guilty groom? Greg zeroes in on Josh but finds him so annoying that he quietly asks Jill’s help in keeping his number-one suspect distracted. She knows that Josh is searching for something else besides his fiancée—a bank robber’s buried gold bullion. And when the professor he’d been discussing it with turns up dead, she can’t help wondering if what looked like cold feet was actually cold-blooded murder . . .

As always I love visiting South Cove, California and Coffee, Books & More.  I love the main set of characters Jill, Amy, Aunt Jackie, Greg, Toby, Deek,  and Evie.  We get to see a softer side to the Antiques dealer Josh Thomas which is nice and will Jill get her MBA as well as find a new wedding venue…

As for the mystery I found it to be well plotted and it moved along at a steady pace. There were only a few suspects for the murder but you still find yourself second guessing on who the murderer can be. Overall I found this to be a great story. 

I can’t wait for the next instalment to come out.

I highly recommend this series to all my cozy 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.

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In the Lonely Hours by Shannon Morgan

In the Lonely Hours by Shannon Morgan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.5 stars

I just finished reading, started it about 5am this morning . This is a new to me author and I definitely want to read her other books. The story explores the dynamics of family drama/trauma with sensitive subjects such as autism, parental cruelty and abuse, and homosexuality wrapped up in a historical fiction ghost story

On a small island in a remote corner of northwest Scotland lies Maundrell castle, owned by its wealthy namesake family for centuries—until now. Edwina Nunn is shocked to learn a relative she never heard of has bequeathed the castle and its land to her. What awaits Edie and her teenage daughter, Neve, is even more startling, for the castle is home to a multitude of ghosts.

Yet there’s a strange beauty in the austere architecture and the eerie, bloody waters of Loch na Scáthanna, the Lake of Shadows. Beguiled by a frightened ghost who gazes longingly out of the castle’s windows, Edie and Neve are drawn to the legends shrouding the island and the mystery of the Maundrell Red—a priceless diamond that disappeared decades before.

Is the gem really cursed, and the cause of the family tragedies that have all occurred on Samhain—Scottish Halloween? As Samhain approaches once more, Edie and Neve race to peel back the dark secrets entwining the living and the dead—a twisted story of bitter cruelty and hidden love—or they will become another Maundrell tragedy trapped in the lonely hours . . .

I highly recommend it to anyone who loves mysteries, thrillers or gothic spooky reads. 

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Kensington and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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The Stranger in the Library by Eva Gates

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "A Stranger in the Library” the 11th instalment in the "Lighthouse Library" Mystery series by Eva Gates. I love this series and couldn’t wait to visit Nag’s Head and the Bodie Island Lighthouse library in the Outer Banks of N.C. Again.

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Outer Banks librarian Lucy is working on an art show at the library when paintings–and people–start to go missing, in this 11th Lighthouse Library mystery from national bestselling author Eva Gates.

When a traveling show of impressionist art comes to Nags Head, North Carolina, librarian Lucy and the staff at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library are inspired to create an educational display about art history. Their launch of the display is a huge success, but the morning after, they discover that a reproduction of a famous painting has gone missing.

No one knows why anyone would bother stealing it: the picture is of no value–the real, priceless painting is under lock and key at the art show itself. Lucy gets an invite to the glitzy opening night for the real show, where she notices unusual tension among the show’s organizers. Then, the man scheduled to give the welcoming speech fails to arrive, and a party-goer is discovered drowned in a fish pond.

Meanwhile, Louise Jane is totally captivated by Tom Reilly, a handsome, charming art dealer lurking at the edges of the receptions on both nights. Tom slipped away from the party early, and he cannot be located by the police. Who, Lucy asks, is Tom Reilly, the shadowy figure threatening to break Louise Jane’s heart?

Something is afoot in Nags Head, and it’s up to Lucy and her friends to get to the bottom of it before it’s not just paintings being framed.

This time the story is more centred around an impressionist art show and Louise Jane’s family heirloom painting.   Louise Jane takes a fancy to someone that attends the library art exhibition and chaos soon follows. 

As always I like how Eva incorporates things in the story that makes me want to learn more on the subject or read the book the book club is reading Ripley Under Ground  by Patricia Highsmith.

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 can't wait for the next instalment!  I highly recommend this book to all my cozy mystery loving 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.

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

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Sentenced to Murder by Sue Minix

Hello my cozy friends, 

Today I am reviewing Sentenced to Murder by Sue Minix the 5th instalment in the "A Bookstore Mystery" series. I enjoyed this book and look forward to book 6!

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She's written murder mysteries before, but can she solve this real-life cold case?

Just as Jen sits down to start writing her next murder mystery novel, she stumbles across a chilling real-life case: a man who claims he’s been wrongly convicted for murder.

Time is running out for Jaylon as he needs a kidney transplant to save his life, something he’ll never receive while he’s in prison for murder.

Jen’s amateur sleuthing skills are pushed to their very limit as time is ticking to solve Jaylon’s case and save his life. Can she save him before his sentence to murder becomes a sentence to death?

Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Lauren Elliott and Ellery Adams, this is an absolutely gripping new bookish cozy crime series that will have you hooked from the very first page.

I really enjoyed visiting Riddleton again and Ravenous Reads Bookstore.  The main cast of characters Charlie, Lacey, Eric, and I love Savannah the German shepherd and all her antics. Jen is trying to navigate having a partner in the bookstore and what that entails as well as, write 2 more books in a year along with proving Jaylon is not a killer! 

It was entertaining, full of twists and turns and I did guess whodunnit but that did not distract from the story.  

I requested and received an advanced readers copy from Harper Collins/Avon 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.

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