A Lesson in Dying The First Inspector Ramsay Novel by Ann Cleeves

Hello my cozy friends,

A Lesson in Dying The First Inspector Ramsay Novel by Ann Cleeves  It is a great start to a new crime/mystery series that I will continue with.  I am a huge fan of Ann Cleeves writing and British mysteries and this did not let me down

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Before Shetland and Vera, Ann Cleeves wrote the Inspector Ramsay series featuring a talented, brilliant detective—now in print for the first time in the US.

Who hung the headmaster in the playground on the night of the school Halloween Party?

Almost everyone in Heppleburn either hated or feared the viper-tongued Harold Medburn. Inspector Ramsay is convinced it was the headmaster’s enigmatic wife but Jack Robson, school governor and caretaker, is determined to prove her innocence.

With the help of his restless daughter Patty, Jack digs into the secrets of Heppleburn, and uncovers a cesspit of lies, adultery, blackmail and madness . . .

I was eager to dive into the Inspector Ramsay series, having fallen in love with Ann Cleeves' Vera series. Inspector Ramsay proves to be a distinctly different protagonist from Vera , with a complex introduction that sets the tone. Initially unpopular and seemingly set up for failure, Ramsay navigates his challenges with quiet determination.

This intriguing mystery boasts a cast of unforgettable characters, keeping me invested in the story. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to witnessing Ramsay's growth in the next installment.

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from the publisher 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 at Porthcurno Cove by by Sally Rigby

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Death at Porthcurno Cove” the 5th instalment in A Cornwall Murder Mystery 
 series featuring DI Lauren Pengelly and DS Matt Price by Sally Rigby  .  This is the first book I have read in the series, if you love mysteries set in Cornwall, England this is for you!

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Golden sunlight bathes the rugged cliffs casting long shadows across Porthcurno’s sandy beach. Within a cove, lying on a blanket, are two bodies. Their limbs are twisted at unnatural angles, vacant eyes staring blankly at the sky. Beside them is an empty Prosecco bottle and a note with one chilling word written in black ink: Sorry.

As the sun rises over a picturesque Cornish beach, Detective Lauren Pengelly makes a grim discovery while walking her border collies. A newly engaged couple lie dead in the sand. At first glance, it appears to be a tragic double suicide. But something doesn’t add up.

The victims – popular university students Jasmine and Finley – seemed to have it all. But as Lauren digs deeper, she and her partner Matt Price unravel a complex web of secrets and lies. Finley’s gambling addiction was threatening to ruin everything, and Jasmine had an unwanted admirer. With a double murder to solve and suspects mounting, Lauren and Matt must navigate the close-knit community to find the answers.

An empty ring box and traces of silk fibres found at the crime scene could be vital clues to cracking the case but when another life is on the line, have Lauren and Matt run out of time to catch the killer?

A completely gripping mystery that will have you turning the pages late into the night. Death at Porthcurno Cove will have fans of LJ Ross, Ann Cleeves and Joy Ellis hooked.

I love visiting Cornwall while not a lot of descriptive scenes as in some books there was just enough to know we were in Cornwall.   I liked the dynamics between the investigative team and how they played off each other.

The mystery was really interesting, well plotted, and had just enough twists to keep you engrossed and wanting to know what happens next. There is a secondary storyline, and wow the cliffhanger has me looking out for book 6 as I have a few questions I want answers for hee hee...

I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Storm Publishing 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,

Killing Me Soufflé by Ellie Alexander

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Killing Me Soufflé" the 20th instalment in the A Bakeshop Mystery series by Ellie Alexander. 

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Another delicious installment in the Bakeshop Series set in Ashland, OR!

Amidst the rocky beaches of the Oregon coast, Torte’s beloved Sterling and Stephanie have been hired to take over the aging restaurant at the cliffside Whaleshead Resort. They’re nervous about striking out on their own, but excited by the opportunity to put their own spin a new menu. From fresh fish caught the very same day to vegan options and handcrafted pastries, they’re buzzing with ideas. What’s even better is that Jules and the team from Torte have come out for opening weekend to cheer them on.

Despite some opening night jitters, the dinner is off with a bang. Guests and long-term residents of Whaleshead Resort are eager to taste the young couple’s creations. As the tickets begin to line up and guests pile in the front door, Jules and Carlos offer to roll up their sleeves and help in any way they can.

Stephanie is taking on every chef’s nightmare—a fluffy chocolate soufflé—and Sterling is fast at work prepping shrimp linguini and pan-seared halibut when they suddenly hear screaming. Erik Morton, the manager of Whaleshead and their new boss, has taken a fatal fall down the steep and dangerous cliffside trail leading to the beach. Jules and her young protégés quickly realize this was no accident. Now, the team will have to juggle the investigation while keeping the restaurant—and Steph and Sterling's new jobs—from crashing like the waves along the cliffs.

I really enjoyed this story, seeing the Torte family grow and expand. Visiting the Oregon Coast where Jules use to go as a child and now where Stephanie and Sterling are starting their own journey was a nice change.  The future is full of changes for all of Torte's family with Jules pregnant, new staff , Ramiro going back to Spain...

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and there were just enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. Needless to say I cant wait for the next book. 

I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from St. Martin's Press 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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Dead Post Society by Diane Kelly

Hello my cozy friends, 

Today I am reviewing Dead Post Society the 7th instalment in the House Flipper Mysteries series by Diane Kelly.  

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The seventh in the House-Flipper mystery series set in Nashville, TN, where the real estate market is to die for.

This year's honor roll is killer...

Carpenter Whitney Whitaker and her cousin Buck are no strangers to murder. After all, they’ve encountered corpses on their properties before. But this is the first time they’d decided to take a chance on a property where two suspicious deaths have already occurred. Most buildings on the former boarding school property will be repurposed for an upscale retirement community, but the developer has no use for the headmaster’s house given its violent history. The headmaster and his wife were killed there decades earlier, their deaths remaining unsolved to this day.

Still, it seems a shame to see the beautiful Victorian give way to decay or the wrecking ball, even if many claim the unsettled souls of the victims still wander its halls, seeking retribution and justice. Can Whitney and Buck exorcise the structure’s demons, solve the cold case, and give the building new life? Or will ghosts from the past seek to silence them forever?

The characters of Whitney, Sawdust (cat), Buck, Collin and Collette are ones I have really come to love. I also enjoy the setting of Nashville, Tennessee. I like how the series continues to alternate chapters narrated by Whitney and her cat Sawdust.

This time around they are flipping an old Victorian which was the scene of two suspicious deaths. Can Whitney and Buck exorcise the structure’s demons, solve the cold case, and give the building new life? Or will ghosts from the past seek to silence them forever?

The mystery is interesting and had lots of twists which kept me guessing. I did suspect who the killer was just before Whitney did. 

I highly recommend to all my cozy mystery loving friends.

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from St.Martin Press 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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A Spirited Blend by Lauren Elliott

Hello my cozy friends, 

Today I am reviewing A Spirited Blend by Lauren Elliott the 3rd instalment in the "A  Crystals & CuriosiTeas Mystery " series.  I love this series! 

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For charmed tea shop owner Shay Myers, getting steeped in Bray Harbor, California’s October festivities is spookier than she ever could have bargained for—especially when a bone-chilling murder mystery spells grave danger . . .

With Halloween around the corner, Shay Myers is brewing witchy seasonal sips at Crystals and CuriosiTEAS—while simultaneously steaming over pub owner Liam Madigan’s decision to take anybody but her to the town’s Monster Mash dance. Her romantic premonitions have missed the mark since she settled into coastal Bray Harbor, opening the door to questions about whether she’s really the gifted seer her late mother imagined. It’s why she second guesses the dark vision in her tea leaves about a local citizen and their obsession with genealogy, Irish folklore, and magic . . .

But when bad omens come true, Shay doesn’t have time for self-doubt. A woman’s body has been discovered, frozen in a strange pose with an eerie black butterfly on her forehead, leading to suspicions that the victim took a conjuring ritual too far due to limited experience—or was murdered by someone with too much. As an investigation stirs up a sinister connection to a boardwalk mystic shop, Shay, guided by her knowing dog, Spirit, finds herself tracking down a shady figure from her past, navigating the sudden reappearance of her ex-husband, and chasing down a wickedly perceptive criminal who might finally be her match!

Can’t say this enough I love Lauren’s writing style and her books are a must have purchase for me. I become invested in the characters and what’s happening in their lives as if they were real people and friends.

I enjoy the close relationship between Shay, Jenn and Tassi.  I love Gran, Liam, and her German shepherd named Spirit

The story is well-written 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 4 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

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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Puzzled 4 Murder by J. C. Eaton

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing “ Puzzled 4 Murder" the 14th  instalment in the Sophie Kimball Mystery series by J.C. Eaton.  I love this series, it always has me laughing at Phee’s mums and Streetman’s antics.

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Soaring temperatures and a giant jigsaw puzzle combine to form a picture of murder . . .

It’s a blistering hot summer in Sun City West, and members of the retirement community are happy to escape into the air-conditioned bliss of the library to work on a mammoth forty-thousand-piece jigsaw puzzle. But things begin heating up inside, too, when members clash with the domineering head of the puzzle committee over which puzzle to solve—until someone settles the matter by killing her. Now it’s up to Sophie “Phee” Kimball to put all the pieces of the murder plot together and catch the culprit responsible.

Any number of the jigsaw aficionados could have wanted the victim out of the picture for her personality alone, but Phee suspects there was a more sinister motive behind the murder. Then the chosen puzzle and the library itself are struck by one instance of sabotage after another, and Phee’s convinced that someone is sending a menacing message. But just as she unearths a telling clue and slots it into place, she finds herself in a race against time to finish the puzzle and solve the case—before the killer goes to pieces and finishes her off too . . .

I found myself engrossed in the story and reading it in almost one day. I love the characters which are well developed. There is plenty of humour and we can’t forget Streetman the chiweenie in the library causing havoc with the puzzle pieces. I laughed at the chaos he caused.

The mystery is interesting, well plotted as well as full of twists and turns.  Always an entertaining, fun read. This is one of my favourite series and I always buy in Paperback as I know I will read again.

I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving 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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Happily Ever After by Jane Lovering

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing Happily Ever After by Jane Lovering.  What can I say other than I loved it and read in one day.  

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Dive into bestseller Jane Lovering’s BRAND NEW novel about book-obsessed Andi’s search for her very own happy ending.

Andi Glover loves nothing more than a good book.

Any book in fact because when you’re raised by unconventional parents who think school’s for squares, alongside a deeply conventional sister who escapes home as soon as she can, fiction is eminently preferable to reality.

The only problem is that fiction isn’t the best way to learn about the real world. When Andi starts her new live-in job at Templewood Hall for the eccentric Lady Dawe and her enigmatic son Hugo, it’s tempting to think she’s fallen into the pages of one of her favourite gothic novels.

But the plot twists at Templewood Hall are stranger than fiction and it’s not long before Andi questions if she’s living in a romance novel or a whodunnit. Bumps in the night, a missing heir, ghostly apparitions and secrets that have been kept for generations - the mysteries mount up. Then there's the inscrutable gardener who seems to appear when needed - is Andi right to hope for a happily-ever-after end to her story?

Funny, heart-warming and full of twists and turns, this story is perfect for all fans of Cathy Bramley, Katie Fforde and Beth Moran.

Happily Ever After is a Gothic-inspired mystery with a slow-burn romance that picks up pace towards the end.  It is laugh-out-loud funny in several places and who doesn’t love a neglected mansion for a setting.

I found the characters to be well developed and the Siamese cat clinched it for me even though he was stinky … The Master 

I will definitely read other books by this author.  I can’t wait to pick up the authors next book! 

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

Death at the Village Chess Club Debbie Young

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Death at the Village Chess Club” the 2nd instalment in The Cotswold Curiosity Shop Mystery series by Debbie Young set in the Cotswold Village of Little Pride, England.  What a great follow up to the series.

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A BRAND NEW instalment in Debbie Young's Cosy Mystery Series

With her Curiosity Shop open for business, Alice Carroll is finally settling into life in the picturesque Cotswold village of Little Pride. But then her old life comes knocking… Alice’s ex boyfriend, Steven, who dumped her to travel the world, has run out of money and asks Alice to sell off his collection of chess sets.

Alice decides to host a tournament to showcase the boards, and her plan seems to be working. That is, until chess pieces begin to mysteriously disappear. And when a body is discovered outside the tournament, Alice realises that the victim was a pawn in another, far more dangerous game.

As the host of the event, Alice is eager to help the police investigate. She doesn’t know why anyone would be interested in stealing random chess pieces, let alone willing to kill for them, but she’s determined to find out. Can she solve the case before someone else gets hurt?

Or will this be one gambit too far for Alice?

I devoured Debbie's latest novel, which expertly combines cozy mystery and heartwarming storytelling. Alice's character shines, and I'm eager to see her relationship with Bob Sponge unfold in future instalments.

The traditional romance and blossoming friendship between Alice and Bob  feels authentic and, with the misunderstandings adding a touch of humor. The mystery is engaging, with clever twists keeping me on the edge. I enjoyed guessing and second-guessing the killer's identity.

Overall, this book is a must-read for fans of cozy mysteries and heartwarming fiction. Debbie'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.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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 Backstabbing by Amanda Ashby

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "The Widows' Guide to Murder” the 2nd instalment in The Widows’ Detective Club Mystery series by Amanda Ashby set in the Village of Little Shaw, England. 

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Ginny Cole doesn’t want to be a widow. She’d rather not be forcibly adopted by an opinionated black cat. And she’d give anything not to have just found the murdered body of her rude and dislikeable new boss…

So she’s as surprised as anyone to realise that she doesn’t hate being on the wrong side of the law, searching a graveyard for evidence in the company of three fellow widows, and doing a whole host of un-Ginny-like things in order to solve a fiendish mystery.

It was a bumpy start, but Ginny might even be starting to like her new life. Certainly well enough that when her sleuthing puts her too close for the killer’s comfort, she’ll do whatever it takes to hold onto it…

If you love Sarah Yarwood-Lovett, Robert Thorogood and The Thursday Murder Club mysteries, you’ll adore this charming cozy mystery full of page-turning twists and endearing characters.

Once again I loved the story and Im still enjoying the bond between the four widows, and i am glad that Connor was hired by the library .   I love her cat and his personality is to die for the little thief.  I also like the quirky characters and the sense of community in Little Shaw.

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and had plenty of twists to keep engaged right to the very end. I kept guessing and second-guessing myself but I guessed before Ginny did.

Overall, this book is a must-read for fans of cozy mysteries and heartwarming fiction. Amanda’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.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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,

Murder at the Loch by Dee MacDonald

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Murder at the Loch” the 2nd instalment in An Ally McKinley Mystery series by Dee MacDonald set in the in the quaint village of Loccharran.  

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Meet Ally McKinley: dog lover, guesthouse owner and accidental detective, as she tackles her next case in the beautiful Scottish Highlands!

Recent retiree Ally McKinley has stepped out with her puppy Flora for a walk by the loch in the tiny village of Locharran, taking a break from running the cosiest little guesthouse in the Highlands. But Ally’s peace and quiet is sunk when she and Flora find the body of a mysterious woman floating in the water…

Before she knows it, Ally finds herself wading into the middle of a new investigation. Who was the mystery woman and why was she killed? Her enquiries take her all over the village: from the corner shop and the nearby hotel to the turreted castle, home of local earl Hamish Sinclair where preparations are underway for his upcoming – and much gossiped about – wedding.

The body in the loch soon has the rumour mills buzzing. But then Elena, the earl’s new bride, is also found poisoned to death the morning after her marriage! With two deaths to investigate, the police appear to suspect almost everyone in Locharran, even Ally herself…

Determined to uncover the truth and clear her name, Ally finds poison at the home of one of her suspects and thinks she might be on the right path to solving both murders. But with a killer on the loose in the Scottish Highlands, can Ally unravel the clues before the next person in a watery grave is her?

A completely addictive Scottish cosy mystery from bestselling author Dee MacDonald. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Clare Chase.

Recent retiree Ally McKinley has stepped out with her puppy Flora for a walk by the loch in the tiny village of Locharran, taking a break from running the cosiest little guesthouse in the Highlands. But Ally’s peace and quiet is sunk when she and Flora find the body of a mysterious woman floating in the water…

Before she knows it, Ally finds herself wading into the middle of a new investigation. 

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 third instalment. 

Recommended for fans of cozy mysteries, Scottish settings, and amateur sleuths

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Boldwood 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,

What Happens in Paradise by Olivia Spring

Hello my book friends,

Today I am reviewing What Happens in Paradise by Olivia Spring. I like to mix in a rom com or romance between my mysteries and thrillers to add a bit of lightness to my reading but Olivia’s books are my first steamy romances.

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The next instalment in the spicy Love Hotel series from bestseller Olivia Spring. Find out what happens in paradise in this working together forbidden romance. Perfect for fans of Meghan Quinn, Emily Henry and Portia Macintosh 

✨ Tropes & Themes ✨ ✧ Holiday Romance 🔥 ✧ Matchmaking💖 ✧ Forced Proximity 💗 ✧Age gap (she’s older, he’s younger) 💋 ✧Destination Romance 💋 ✧ Opposites attract 😍 ✧ He falls first 😬 ✧ Only One Bed 💕 ✧ All the spice 🌶️✧😍 Friends to lovers

What happens in paradise… stays in paradise!

Hotel guest relations manager Jasmine, also known as a Love Alchemist, adores her job at the exclusive Spanish Love Hotel. She prides herself on helping guests meet their perfect match. But matchmaking is absolutely forbidden between staff. And so Jasmine must resist the attraction she feels every time she’s around delectable sous-chef, Alejandro. The problem is, she knows the feeling is mutual. But she cannot jeopardise her job or break the rules.

Because all her hard work is about to be recognized when she’s asked to set up the new branch of the hotel in Jamaica. With an ocean between her and temptation, Jasmine is ecstatic. This is just the distance she needs to keep her feelings under control. But there is one kink in her plan… Alejandro has been asked to join her. For two whole weeks!

Under the sultry Jamaican sun, keeping it strictly professional becomes impossible when romance is literally all around them! So they agree a (secret) holiday fling may help satisfy their desires and then they can move on. After all, what happens in paradise stays in paradise… right?

A laugh out loud, forbidden romance which sizzles in paradise. Perfect for fans of Portia Macintosh, Meghan Quinn and Emily Henry

This time we are following Jasmine and Ale as they try to stay away from each other even though they are being thrown together at every moment.  What happens in paradise… stays in paradise!

This romcom had me laughing out loud and cringing in embarrassment for the characters. The author's writing is effortless, making the absurdity of situations feel authentic.  Beyond the humor, the story delivers heartwarming moments and swoon-worthy scenes. The perfect blend of spice, romance, and comedy makes this book a must-read for fans of the genre.

If you're looking for a lighthearted, engaging romance with a dash of spice, this book is for you. With its relatable characters, witty dialogue, and heartfelt moments, it's a true page-turner.

I look forward to reading all Olivia’s future novels and highly recommend to all spicy romance loving friends.

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

I requested and received an advance reader’s copy from NetGalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced.

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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