A Grave Deception by Connie Berry

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing A Grave Deception , book 6 in the “A Kate Hamilton Mystery” series by Connie Berry.

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Antiques expert Kate Hamilton dives into the past to solve a fourteenth-century mystery with disturbing similarities to a modern-day murder in the sixth installment of the Kate Hamilton mystery series.

Kate Hamilton and her husband, Detective Inspector Tom Mallory, have settled into married life in Long Barston. When archaeologists excavating the ruins of a nearby plague village discover the miraculously preserved body of a fourteenth-century woman, Kate and her colleague, Ivor Tweedy, are asked to appraise the grave goods, including a valuable pearl. When tests reveal the woman was pregnant and murdered, the owner of the estate on which the body was found, an amateur historian, asks Kate to identify her and, if possible, her killer. Surprised, Kate agrees to try.

Meanwhile, tensions within the archaeological team erupt when the body of the lead archaeologist turns up at the dig site with fake pearls in his mouth and stomach. Then a third body is found in the excavations. Meanwhile, Kate’s husband Tom is tracking the movements of a killer of his own.

With the help of 700-year-old documents and the unpublished research of a deceased historian, Kate must piece together the past before the grave count reaches four.

I loved visiting the village of Long Barstow in Suffolk again, and hanging out with Kate, Tom and Ivor.

I found myself engrossed in the story and reading it in one sitting. I did not suspect the killer until Kate did, 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.


Hugs, 

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A Spirited Supper at Dundoon Castle by Darci Hannah

Hello my cozy friends, 

Today I am reviewing “A Spirited Supper at Dundoon Castle ” by Darci Hannah the 2nd instalment in the "A Food & Spirits Mystery" series.  I loved this book it’s a fun  mystery. I totally added it to my favourite series list! 

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When chef Bridget “Bunny” MacBride got a role on the reality show Food & Spirits, she thought “spirits” meant cocktails. Instead, she’s cooking up dinners meant to tempt the departed to appear. And to her surprise, she’s discovered abilities to connect with the beyond—and crack murder cases . . .

Now that Bunny’s entrées come with a side of the Other Side, it comes in handy to have a grandma who’s friendly with the elderly owners of a haunted Scottish castle. During Bunny’s childhood she heard all about Dundoon’s bloody history and the “ghostly piper” who roamed the grounds—and soon she’ll be visiting the ancient place with her ghost hunter and psychic co-stars. The annual bagpipe competition in the late piper’s honor will make for some good footage as well. 

After Bunny serves a feast fit for a 17th century king, including lamb chops with plenty of fresh herbs, she heads outdoors for the ghost hunt. But in the dark, dense fog, someone fatally plunges from the clifftop over the loch. The sound that follows is a mournful, otherworldly bagpipe . . . and once the body of another perished piper is retrieved, Bunny is determined to solve this Highlands homicide—and prevent a killer from getting off scot-free . . .

Includes Delicious Recipes!

I really enjoyed getting to know Bunny even more and visiting Dundoon Castle. It was nice to meet Bunny’s family and hang out with Grandma Mac again .   

It was entertaining, full of twists and turns and I didn’t completely guess whodunnit until  Bunny did.  

I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends and I can’t wait for book 3!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I requested and received an advanced readers copy from Kensington 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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A Very Novel Murder by Ellie Alexander

Hello my cozy friends, 

Today I am reviewing A Very Novel Murder by Ellie Alexander the 1st instalment in the " Novel Detectives Mystery" series.  In the first book of this new series, we see private detectives Annie and Fletcher pick up where they left off at the end of the Secret Bookcase series--opening up their new detective agency within a bookstore, 

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Opening a detective agency above her beloved bookstore seems like the perfect business plan—until Annie Murray’s first case involves a suspicious death right on her doorstep.

June Munrow, an elderly resident of Annie’s home town, Redwood Grove, is convinced that young Kelly Taylor’s recent drowning wasn't the tragic accident everyone believes it to be. Despite the police ruling, June is determined to prove there’s more to the story and hires the Novel Detectives to uncover the truth.

As Annie delves into Kelly’s life, she discovers a tangled web of secrets involving Kelly’s complicated relationships, a peculiar landlord, and her mysterious roommate. Everyone connected to Kelly seems to be hiding something, and the deeper Annie digs, the more puzzling the case becomes.

With her trademark blend of curiosity and compassion, can Annie piece together the clues and solve her first official case—before she gets into deep water herself?

Perfect for fans of Lauren Elliott, Merryn Allingham and M.C. Beaton, this charming cozy mystery is brimming with small-town secrets and bookish charm that will keep you turning pages late into the night. 

I loved returning to the charming town of Redwood Grove and the Secret Bookcase bookstore.  In this spin-off instalment Annie and Fletcher have opened The Novel Detective Agency inside the bookstore and are dividing their time between running the bookstore and taking on new clients.  With her fellow bookseller and crime-fighting partner Fletcher playing Watson to her Holmes, with her trademark blend of curiosity and compassion, can Annie piece together the clues and solve her first official case—before she gets into deep water herself?

It was entertaining, full of twists and turns and I didn’t completely guess whodunnit until Annie did..  

Overall, I'm thoroughly invested in Annie and the Novel Detectives I’m excited to see where the author takes these endearing characters next!

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

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Storm 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,

Murder at the Scottish Games by Traci Hall

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Murder at the Scottish Games” the 7th instalment in the Scottish Shire Mystery series by Traci Hall.  This has become one of my favourite Scottish cozy mysteries!  I absolutely loved this instalment and can’t wait for book 8.

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The Highland Games have taken over the quaint seaside village of Nairn, Scotland—and the life of sweater shop owner, knitting enthusiast, and busy single mom Paislee Shaw…especially when a killer enters the competition!

Paislee Shaw is no stranger to managing tricky tangles, but mid-August spins her world into more chaos than she ever could have imagined. Between her teenage son’s moody antics, friends making life-changing decisions, and the looming Nairn Highland Games, evenings with fellow crafters of the Knit and Sip crew are her one escape. But when she joins the games’ organizing committee, Paislee is instantly plunged into a whirlwind of clashing personalities and scandalous mishaps . . . 

The festivities unravel faster than a dropped stitch when heavy throwing competitor Artie Whittle is accused of cheating—and his ill-tempered father is found murdered the next day. With Artie unconscious and pegged as the prime suspect, Paislee and DI Zeffer team up to untangle the truth. Navigating a cast of unusual suspects—from jealous judges to grudge-holding locals—Paislee must weave together clues hidden amidst caber tosses, kilts, and a killer who only plays to win . . .

As always I loved this latest instalment in Traci Hall’s Scottish Shire Mysteries which is a pleasant blend of cozy mystery and everyday life, and I loved how the protagonist juggles her sleuthing with a jam-packed schedule! From school runs to the Highland Games committee, her life is as hectic as it is charming. The way she navigates staffing issues at her shop, social obligations, and caring for her grandad (health) and teenage son (puberty) feels so authentic – I was rooting for her the whole way.

The murder investigation is gripping, and what makes it even more interesting is how the protagonist's personal connections get tangled up in it. With a junior employee's boyfriend as a prime suspect and the Highland Games committee quick to judge, the stakes are high. The author masterfully keeps the tension going, sprinkling in plenty of suspects with motives, so even with a few hunches, I didn't guess the killer until Paisley did!

The simmering attraction with the local detective?  Absolutely swoon-worthy. It adds a lovely layer of warmth to the story without overshadowing the mystery.  ( I have been wanting this to happen for a few books now ) 

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

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Kensington 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,

The Cold Case and the Corpse by Debra Sennefelder

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "The Cold Case and the Corpse” by Debra Sennefelder.   I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

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When foul play pays a visit to a snowy mountain retreat, Hope Early will have to battle the elements to catch a cold-blooded killer . . .

With her first cookbook about to be published, food blogger Hope Early decides it’s the perfect time to attend a weekend retreat with a life coach and take her career to the next level. Her hopes for a life-changing experience are soon dashed, however, when she realizes the woman’s wisdom is nothing more than buzzwords and hollow clichés. Suspecting she’s a fraud, Hope discovers the woman is a longtime con artist and is even linked to an unsolved murder. But before she can learn more, someone puts an end to the life coach’s scam—permanently.

News of the murder has put everyone at the retreat on edge, and the stakes are raised when a fierce snowstorm threatens to strand them all there with the killer. With everyone a suspect and at least one other person pretending to be someone they’re not, Hope’s determined to unearth any clues that link the victim’s sordid past with someone at the retreat. But the killer is dead set on stopping Hope in her tracks, and what started as a weekend to build an exciting future turns into a struggle to survive another day . . .

Includes mouthwatering recipes!

I loved "The Cold Case and the Corpse" the 8th book in Debra Sennefelder's "A Food Blogger Mystery" series. Visiting Jefferson, Connecticut has become a pleasant escape.

I love Hope as she is real and I have become invested in her and what is happening around her. I like her family and friends, Claire, Jane, Drew and of course Ethan (ex Police Chief boyfriend) and the dynamics between them all. Don't get me started on her dog Bigelow, Poppy the chicken and Princess the cat!  

Ethan's patience with Hope is truly saintly – I love how he supports her, even when she's barreling headfirst into danger.

With a few suspenseful moments as well as some lighthearted ones, but with plenty of twists and turns to keep us entertained. I did suspect the killer but I started second guessing myself as there was plenty of suspects.  

The ending was wonderful full of  food, friends, and community plus, that amazing announcement had me smiling.  I highly recommend this book and I cannot wait to see what’s next for Hope in this series and I look forward to reading the next book ...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Beyond the Page 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 Deadly Clue by Victoria Gilbert

Hello my cozy friends, 

Today I am reviewing "A Deadly Clue" the 3rd instalment in the "A Hunter and Clewe Mystery" series by Victoria Gilbert. 

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Hunter and Clewe are back in the third Hunter and Clewe mystery, from acclaimed author Victoria Gilbert, when a closed case is reopened after another member of a prominent family is murdered.

Cameron Clewe and Jane Hunter, lovers of all things bookish, are slowly cataloging Cam’s private collection of first edition books acquired from the deceased patriarch of the wealthy Stewart family. When Jane finds a note from Kimberly Stewart Ward, one of the daughters of the Stewart patriarch—who supposedly committed suicide—she discovers someone was actually targeting her with the intention of killing her.

Jane and Cam decide to look into the supposedly closed case, but their investigation becomes urgent when another member of the Stewart family is found dead from a drug overdose. The victim’s friends claim he’d been clean and sober for years and refuse to accept the cause of death.

Believing both cases to be connected, Jane and Cam are determined to solve them before any other direct heirs of the family are targeted.

I was hooked from start to finish, devouring the entire book in almost one day! 

This entertaining page-turner is full of twists, turns, and surprises that kept me guessing. While I did figure out the killer's identity before Jane did, I still found this to be a fun, easy read. 

I’m eagerly looking forward to the next book to catch up with Jane, Cam, and their friends. Highly recommended for all fans of cozy mysteries - a must-read!

I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book 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.

Hugs,

Murder Bears Fruit by Rosie Sandler

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Murder Bears Fruit” the 4th instalment in The Gardener Mystery series by Rosie Sandler set across England.  This time we are in the Yorkshire Moors.

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Steph Williams and her trusty sidekick, Mouse, are back in the fourth instalment in this much-loved cosy crime gardening series.

Able to cherry pick her gardening projects after all her recent success, Steph Williams arrives at a luxury hotel in the Yorkshire moors with her beloved dog Mouse. She has been tasked with bringing the outdated gardens into line with the hotel's sleek and glassy new guise, and can't wait to dig in.

But, before Steph can enjoy the fruits of her labour, she makes a shocking discovery in the hotel's pool: a body, fanned by a beautiful evening dress, floating beneath the stars.

As she rushes into the scene, Steph realises this is no common-or-garden accident. When a surprising arrest is made, she will have to dig deep to ensure the police have the real killer. But Steph's missing ex husband proves a thorn in her side, as ever: turning up very much alive, and urgently needing her help.

Will Steph be able to find the murderer, and the missing rubies, and come up smelling of roses?

I enjoyed this story. As I have stated previously, I really like the bond between Steph and Mouse it just felt real, we all want to think our four legged friends understand us and would protect us from harm.

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 was right on who the killer was.     

I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends. I can’t wait for book 5!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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,