Death on the Books by Victoria Gilbert

Hello my cozy friends, 

Today I am reviewing “ Death on the Books” by Victoria Gilbert the 10th instalment in the "Blue Ridge Library Mystery" series. I really enjoyed it.

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A sleuthing library director is on the case when a patron drops dead in the tenth installment of Victoria Gilbert’s critically acclaimed Blue Ridge Library mysteries.

When a stranger falls over dead in the Taylorsford Public Library, clutching a crumpled piece of paper inscribed only with the words hen and sapphire, Library Director Amy Muir must once again investigate. She soon learns that the man is the personal assistant to Warren Sanderson, an art collector and dealer who just so happens to be visiting Kurt Kendrick, the godfather of Amy’s twins.

When the autopsy reveals that the library patron was poisoned, suspicion falls on those who knew him—mainly Sanderson, his granddaughter Heather, and Kurt. Determined to get to the bottom of the mystery, Amy digs into the contentious relationships between Kurt and the Sandersons. But as it turns out, suspects abound, and when Amy’s best friend’s boyfriend is implicated, the case becomes even more complicated.

Amy’s research ties the dead man’s note to a lost treasure of the Romanov empire. Then another person falls victim. With the bodies piling up, Amy knows better than anyone that killers often keep killing until they’re caught, and she’ll stop at nothing to get to the bottom of this tangled mystery. 

In this instalment a stranger falls over dead in the Taylorsford Public Library, clutching a crumpled piece of paper inscribed only with the words hen and sapphire, Library Director Amy Muir must once again investigate. She soon learns that the man is the personal assistant to Warren Sanderson, an art collector and dealer who just so happens to be visiting Kurt Kendrick, the godfather of Amy’s twins.

Unfortunately those connections lead to intrigue, missing and priceless Faberge eggs from 1922, the not so savory side of the art world, drugs, and more. 

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.

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.

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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Eight Enchanting Elixirs by Lynn Cahoon

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Eight Enchanting Elixirs " the 8th instalment in the "Kitchen Witch" Mystery series by Lynn Cahoon.

Pre-order here 

New York Times bestselling author Lynn Cahoon’s irresistible kitchen witch, Mia the caterer, once again works magic with a meal—and with a murder—in an Idaho town with a lot of community spirits . . .

Mia’s grandmother is feeling stress about an ex who’s returned . . . from the dead. Mia’s boyfriend is confined to his home for six weeks in a desperate attempt to get his fluffy Maltese pup, Cerby, trained as a hellhound. And Mia herself is being hassled by the coven, which is suddenly questioning the validity of her witch credentials!

Suspected of cheating on her exam, Mia is pressured to retake it. When she not only passes but moves up a level, national coven rep Suzanne Parker is furious. Parker, a relative of a witch hanged in Salem, threatens Mia with a witch’s worst nightmare. When she’s found dead the very next day, the coven suspects kitchen witch’s potions contained an extra, very lethal ingredient.

With all this toil and trouble, Mia has no choice but to prove that she’s a good witch—in every sense of the word . . .

Includes a Recipe!

I love visiting Magic Springs, Idaho and catching up with Mia, Grans, Christina and Abigail.  I adore Buddy the dragon and Cerby and the things they get up too.  Can’t wait to see what Cerby gets up to in the next book as Mia and Trent learn to raise a hellhound and a dragon…

I found the mystery very interesting as well as entertaining, full of twists and turns that kept me guessing till the very end. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Mia and Mia’s Morsels in book 9 especially after a few surprises at the end.

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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Bubble, Bubble, Tea and Trouble by Vicki Delany

Hello my cozy friends, 

Today I am reviewing “ Bubble, Bubble, Tea and Trouble” by Vicki Delany the 7th instalment in the “Tea by the Sea Mysteries”. I’m never disappointed when I pick up one of Vicki Delany’s books. 

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When Cape Cod tearoom owner Lily Roberts finds a group conducting a séance in her grandmother’s Victorian B&B, she has no idea the trouble that’s about to be conjured up . . .

When Lily stumbles across five middle-aged women gathered in a dark corner of the tearoom for a “book club,” she firmly reminds them that the inn’s no-smoking policy also applies to their oddly ritualistic candles. As they head outside, Lily overhears them chalking their bad luck up to the absence of their leader, Katya. Whatever they’re doing, it certainly isn’t reading—and their cover is starting to sound like weak tea . . .

While they enjoy Lily’s homemade banana bread the next morning, they make their intentions clear—grilling Lily about any past paranormal activity in the cliffside mansion. Their attempts to contact spirits have been falling flat, it seems, and the mysterious Katya is catching the heat. Levelheaded Lily thinks the real reason is that there’s no such thing as ghosts.

But Lily’s pal Bernie has found another explanation: the half-baked spirit-seekers have the wrong house. The haunted reputation belongs to the place next door—where Lily’s gardener boyfriend is currently staying. But before they can inform the luckless ladies, the missing medium shows up—dead on the rocks at the bottom of the cliff. Now, Lily has two jobs: serving afternoon tea, and solving a murder before someone else gets sent to the great beyond . . .

I found myself engrossed in the story and reading in couple days. It was entertaining, full of twists and turns and delectable food.  

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and kept me guessing till the very end.  I love the main character of Lily, her grandmother Rose, Simon, and her BFF Bernie.  

I won’t go into detail about the mystery as the book blurb does a wonderful job of it but I will say if you like afternoon tea, and a great mystery then this series is for you.   Includes recipes at back of book ... yummy

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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All Aboard for Murder by Ellen Byron

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "All Aboard for Murder" the 3rd instalment in the "A Golden Motel Mystery" by Ellen Byron.   I thoroughly enjoyed this book 

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Dee Stern is starting to feel at home running her Golden Motel in the scenic California village where she relocated after leaving behind her LA life as a sitcom writer. But a killer sees the town’s Halloween celebration as a golden opportunity to write a script for murder . . .

It’s October in Gold Rush country and all manner of tricks and treats are happening in the lead-up to Halloween. October also happens to be the birthday of Angus Sprockles, the man responsible for the town being designated a historic landmark, and the residents are celebrating his memory as well. His only living descendant, Moses Sprockles, runs the narrow-gauge railroad—once used to ferry lumber from the mountains to the sawmill, now a tourist attraction. The Sprockles Railroad is hosting a Halloween-themed fundraiser for the Historical Society.

But when a body is found on the tracks, it’s not a Halloween prank. It’s Moses himself, seemingly felled by a fallen tree branch. Dee’s dad Sam is convinced his friend is the victim of foul play and urges his daughter to apply her sleuthing skills. Dee’s train of thought leads her to suspects ranging from a former child star and one-hit wonder, the owner of a nail salon with her claws in everything, and even the mayor.  When a self-proclaimed ghost hunter throws his hat in the ring and claims to know who did it, the investigation really goes off the rails. No matter how crazy things get, Dee is determined to blow the whistle on a runaway killer with a one-track mind.

 

Ellen Byron is a must read author for me and I was excited to read book 3 in her new series set in Foundgold California.  It has quickly become a favorite series.  Dee Stern is starting to feel at home running her Golden Motel in the scenic California village where she relocated after leaving behind her LA life as a sitcom writer. But a killer sees the town’s Halloween celebration as a golden opportunity to write a script for murder . . .

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and there are plenty of twists and turns in this story, and I kept guessing and second-guessing myself on whodunnit right to the very end. The story moves at a steady pace, and I had a hard time putting it down.

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 mystery lovers.

Hugs, 

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Purranormal Activity A Cat Cafe Mystery by Cate Conte

Hello my cozy friends, 

Today I am reviewing Purranormal Activity by Cate Conte the 10th instalment in the A Cat Cafe Mystery series, I enjoyed this book and look forward to book 11.  I have not read the previous books in the series but I definitly want to catch up before the next book.

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The tenth installment in a charming cozy mystery series set on an island off the New England coast and featuring the cat cafe owner Maddie and her cat JJ.

Trouble is brewing on Daybreak Island…

Summer is in full swing on Daybreak Island, and JJ’s House of Purrs—and the new mobile cat café—have Maddie James running nonstop with on-site cat parties.

When her mom’s old best friend, back on the island for the first time since her aunt Delia vanished decades ago, asks Maddie to plan a birthday party for her granddaughter, Maddie happily agrees.

But when Maddie and her mom arrive at Delia’s old house, it’s empty—except for a white-and-gray cat that leads Maddie to a hidden room, where they find her mom’s friend dead.

Soon Maddie learns the cat might be tied to a ghostly island legend. And as she digs deeper, she realizes she’s unraveling two disappearances, forty years apart—while someone is desperate to keep the truth buried.

It was entertaining, full of twists and turns and I did guess whodunnit but that did not distract from the story.  The story was really engaging and the characters were well developed I especially like JJ the cat.  I am interested now, to make sure I read every book in the series.

I recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends and I can’t wait for book 11 to come out!

I requested and received an advanced readers copy from Minotaur 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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Embroidering the Truth by Elizabeth Penney

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Embroidering the Truth by Elizabeth Penney” the 3rd instalment in A Gift Shop Mystery series set in Port Huron, Michigan.  Each book is written by a different author and this time it happens to be one of my favorite authors Elizabeth Penney so I was sure I wouldn’t be disappointed.

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Embroidering the Truth is the third book in Guideposts’ Gift Shop Mysteries fiction series. 

Sarah Morgan’s latest mystery arrives at Heavenly Treasures along with her old friend Renee Torres, who brings a stunning quilt that belonged to her recently deceased great-aunt. Together, they realize that this Baltimore album quilt includes pieces from a famous nineteenth-century artist named Emily Deveau—meaning the value of the piece just skyrocketed! What was such a precious item doing in Renee’s family home? 

News of the quilt spreads quickly throughout Port Huron. Soon Sarah finds herself not only researching its history, but also helping Renee protect it from those who are desperate to get their hands on it. Sarah discovers a tale of deception and betrayal that takes her all the way back to the 1893 World’s Fair. It’s a race against time—and a mysterious adversary—to find the answers Sarah and her friend seek. 

About the Gift Shop Mysteries Series 

Every gift tells a story…and some bring mysteries! 

Get ready for a faith-filled mystery like no other! The excitement begins when Sarah Morgan returns to her picturesque hometown along the shore of Lake Huron to open a gift and curiosities shop, which she calls Heavenly Presents. As she reconnects with family and friends and grows in her faith, Sarah feels her shop becoming more than just a place to browse or buy. It’s turning into a cozy haven, where tucked among the handmade keepsakes and one-of-a-kind wonders are clues to long-buried secrets and surprising truths. Sarah soon discovers that solving small-town mysteries might just be the most meaningful gift she can offer. 

Why You’ll Love the Gift Shop Mysteries Series 

If you’re looking for a mystery series that’s equal parts heartwarming and intriguing, Gift Shop Mysteries is your perfect next read. Set in a charming lakeside town with a faith-filled shop owner as your guide, each book offers: 

Captivating mysteries that keep you guessing—but never keep you up at night 

A cast of relatable, endearing characters who feel like old friends 

A cozy, small-town atmosphere you’ll want to escape to again and again 

Faith-filled encouragement and hope, gently woven through every story 

Themes of redemption, reconnection, and second chances—with God, family, and community 

Plus, each book includes delightful extras: 

A recipe inspired by the story 

A personal letter from the author 

“Behind the Counter” insights into the real-life history or inspiration 

Book club-ready discussion questions 

Whether you’re drawn to uplifting mysteries, enjoy uncovering meaningful secrets, or simply want a soul-soothing read with depth, heart, and a touch of suspense—this series was made for you. 

Embroidering the Truth is a charming cozy mystery with a pleasant, steady pace. Unlike many cozies, there’s no murder here. Instead, it weaves together a historical mystery with a modern-day one.

The plot centers on Sarah’s old friend Renee Torres, who brings a stunning quilt that belonged to her recently deceased great-aunt. Together, they realize that this Baltimore album quilt includes pieces from a famous nineteenth-century artist named Emily Deveau—meaning the value of the piece just skyrocketed! What was such a precious item doing in Renee’s family home?  Chapters set in the past help fill in the quilts backstory.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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 Corpse at the Cottage by Kathleen Bridge

Hello my cozy friends, 

Today I am reviewing The Corpse at the Cottage by Kathleen Bridge the 9th instalment in the "Hamptons Home & Garden  Mystery" series. I really enjoy this series, although this can be read as a stand-alone I do recommend you read from the beginning.

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When the patriarch of an old-money Hamptons family is found dead, interior decorator Meg Barrett discovers that some family secrets are better left buried . . .

It was big news when Roland Whitney bankrupted his family’s media empire amid rumors of fraud. Now he’s lost their Hamptons estate, and Meg finds herself in the middle of the turmoil. She’s been called in to collect the furnishings used in the streaming mystery show that was filmed there, and she wants nothing more than to finish the job and be done with the troubled family. Then she stumbles upon Whitney’s dead body, the victim of an apparent suicide. 

All the evidence suggests that Whitney couldn’t live with the shame of his downfall and took his own life. But Meg is convinced the suicide was staged, and as she begins looking into the secretive family, she discovers bitter conflicts and a history of resentment for the victim. With each of them a suspect and tension growing over who stands to inherit the little remaining wealth, Meg realizes too late that if money’s behind the murder, she may end up paying the biggest price of all . . . 

Includes tasty recipes and classic vintage decorating tips!

I found myself engrossed in this story, I like the setting of the Hamptons and the overall feel of the place. I really enjoyed catching up with the main character of Meg, and her bff Elle.   I’m also glad to see where their relationships are heading …

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, full of twists and turns.  I can’t say I guessed who the killer was but I was starting to lean towards them.  

I recommend this series 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,

A Murder at the Mansion by Ellie Alexander

Hello my cozy friends, 

Today I am reviewing A Murder at the Mansion by Ellie Alexander the 2nd instalment in the " Novel Detectives Mystery" series.  

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In the charming town of Redwood Grove, even the grandest estates have something to hide…

When reclusive heiress Bernadette Garst vanishes from her sprawling mansion, bookshop owner and investigator Annie Murray is summoned to the scene.

Arriving at the legendary Garst property, Annie and her partner Fletcher discover a household riddled with secrets, bitter family rivalries, and suspicious staff members. When Bernadette’s lawyer also goes missing, it’s clear the case is escalating into something far more dangerous.

With her keen eye for detail and a little help from her friends, Annie must piece together the clues hidden within the opulent estate grounds. Can she solve the puzzle before it’s too late?

This cozy mystery sees the Novel Detectives facing their most high-profile case yet. Perfect for fans of Lauren Elliott, Merryn Allingham and M.C. Beaton.

I loved returning to the charming town of Redwood Grove and the Secret Bookcase bookstore.  In this instalment Annie and Fletcher are dividing their time between running the bookstore and helping the police find reclusive heiress Bernadette Garst who vanished from her sprawling mansion.

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,

A Cultivated Corpse by Debra Sennefelder

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "A Cultivated Corpse” by Debra Sennefelder.   I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

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When the local garden club president is killed, food blogger Hope Early will have to dig through the clues to catch a killer . . .

The Jefferson Garden Club’s annual plant sale is just around the corner, but Hope Early and other members of the club are more focused on the garden restoration project at Ambrose House. The gorgeous landscaping promises to help return the stately old home to its former glory, but rumors are surfacing of unexplained delays and exorbitant costs. Then the club’s president is found dead amid signs of foul play, and Hope can’t ignore the uneasy feeling that the victim was silenced for something she knew about the renovations.

Certain that the solution to the murder is tied to the garden project and the club’s recent financial struggles, Hope begins to go through their books and uncovers more than mismatched numbers. A tangle of transactions points to an intricate embezzlement scheme, but before she can weed out who’s behind it, a local reporter chasing the same story is killed. It’s clear now that someone is dead-set on keeping the truth buried, and Hope will have to unearth a vital piece of evidence before the killer decides it’s time to bury her as well . . . 

Includes mouthwatering recipes!

I loved "The Cultivated Corpse" the 9th 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 (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!  

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 Delicious Deception by Lucy Burdette

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "A Delicious Deception" the 16th instalment in the "A Key West Food Critic" Mystery series by Lucy Burdette. This is one of my favourite foodie cozy mystery series.

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Mother-to-be Hayley Snow bites off more than she can chew in the sixteenth installment of Lucy Burdette’s USA Today bestselling Key West Food Critic mysteries.

When Sheriff’s Deputy Darcy Rogers asks Hayley for a small favor, she can’t say no. Nine months pregnant and temporarily benched from her food critic duties, Hayley’s itching for a distraction and eager to help. All she has to do is tag along while a young woman picks up her daughter from her father at Monroe County’s safe custody exchange location. Easy, right?

Wrong.

In the chaos of the Sheriff’s Office open house, the mother disappears. Then the father bolts, leaving Hayley with a terrified girl and the realization that something has gone terribly wrong. Hayley and Deputy Rogers head north up the Keys to search for answers. 

When a body turns up, Hayley realizes this isn’t just a missing-persons case—it’s a race against time. With the little girl’s safety at risk, Hayley must trust her instincts—and her heart—to uncover the truth.

I really enjoyed this story and hanging out with Haley, and her octogenarian sidekick Miss Gloria. This time Haley is working with Deputy Rogers who she has a leery relationship with but hoping they can work through their differences.  

The mystery is interesting and well plotted and I kept 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.

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 Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts by Robert Thorogood

Hello my cozy friends, 

Today, I am reviewing The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts the 5th instalment in the 'Marlow Murder Club' series, by Robert Thorogood. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait for book 6.

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Two dead celebrities. One village full of secrets.

Someone is killing celebrities in Marlow. First, it's a famous soccer player. Then, a bestselling thriller writer. When two shocking deaths rock their quiet riverside town, Judith, Suzie, and Becks—the unstoppable Marlow Murder Club—must untangle a dangerous web of blackmail and scandal to catch a killer.

But with their trusted police ally DI Malik suddenly suspended, and Judith's own past threatening to resurface, the women are on their own. Suspects are multiplying like tabloid headlines, secrets are stacking up, and time is running out.

Can the Marlow Murder Club crack the case before the killer strikes again—or will this be the end of their crime-solving adventures?

The story is set in the charming village of Marlow, England, which provides a beautiful backdrop for the mystery. The quirky trio of Judith, Suzie, and Becks is once again at the center of the story, and their interactions are both humorous and engaging.

The plot is cleverly constructed, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers guessing. 

The book leaves readers with some answers to Judith's past, overall, "The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts " is a fun, entertaining read that combines humor, mystery, and theater perfectly.

I requested and received an Advanced reader Copy from the publisher 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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