Murder at a Scottish Halloween by Traci Hall

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Murder at a Scottish Halloween” the 8th 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 9.

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As Halloween descends upon the Scottish seaside town of Nairn, reluctant sleuth and knitting enthusiast Paislee Shaw finds herself investigating how an ancient ghost inspired a modern murder…

While Paislee will be celebrating All Hallow’s Eve by handing out candy to the trick or treaters at her Cashmere Crush sweater shop, her teenage son Brody seems to have given up the ghost. Uninterested in donning a superhero or monster costume, he’s just going to attend a party with his friends at the ice rink.

But Brody got swept up in the spirit of the season after all. Dared by the older kids, he went to the supposedly haunted Rait Ruins to capture video of a vengeful ghost. The local legend of the Rait Wraith has been passed down for generations—and still gives Paislee the creeps. While no specter actually roams the grounds, the lifeless body of university student Ailis Barclay is discovered there.

Ailis was at the ruins dressed as the ghost to prank Brody, only something went wrong. With her son traumatized and deemed a suspect, it’s up to Paislee to string together whether Ailis was a victim of the real Wraith of Rait Ruins—or of someone dangerous among the living . . .

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.  As Halloween descends upon the Scottish seaside town of Nairn, reluctant sleuth and knitting enthusiast Paislee Shaw finds herself investigating how an ancient ghost inspired a modern murder…

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 her son traumatized and deemed a suspect, 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!

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

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Hugs,

Murder at the Campfire Cookout by Darci Hannah

Hello my cozy friends, 

Today I am reviewing “Murder at the Campfire Cookout" by Darci Hannah the 7th instalment in the "A Beacon Bakeshop Mystery" series.  I loved visiting Beacon Harbor, Michigan again and still really want to go to Upper Pennisula, Michigan!

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When Lindsey Bakewell leaves behind her lighthouse bakeshop, her boyfriend, Rory, and her Newfoundland dog, Wellington, for a glamping trip with her mother in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the bears leave them alone—but a killer doesn’t. . .

Converting the old Beacon Point lighthouse into a bakery is as adventurous as Lindsey cares to get. Her mother, Ellie, a former 80s fashion model, likes her creature comforts even more—until she sees a business opportunity for her Beacon Harbor fashion boutique when she’s invited by the Mitten Kittens Glamping Club on a woodsy getaway.

Far from roughing it, the ladies will be warm and cozy in chic vintage campers. Ellie insists Lindsey come along to win the campfire cookout contest. Campfire cooking has come a long way from bacon and beans. Soon Lindsey is making pizza, berry cobbler, and gooey Carmelita camping bars.

But the festive spirit is soon dampened when a body is found in Ellie’s camper. It seems like an accidental death until everyone’s tires are slashed and it’s clear the glampsite has become a crime scene. With no cell service to call for help, it’s up to Lindsey to smoke out the killer around the campfire . . .

Because no one is out of the woods yet.

I absolutely love this series,  this time around the friends are glamping to help Lindsey's mum design clothes for the Glamping Lifestyle.  But the festive spirit is soon dampened when a body is found in Ellie’s camper. It seems like an accidental death until everyone’s tires are slashed and it’s clear the glampsite has become a crime scene. With no cell service to call for help, it’s up to Lindsey to smoke out the killer around the campfire . . .

It was entertaining, full of twists and turns and I didn’t completely guess whodunnit until Lindsey did. Plus all the descriptions of the baked goods made my mouth water. ( recipes included in back of book)

I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends and I can’t wait for book 7

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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All Shell Breaks Loose by Molly MacRae

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing All Shell Breaks Loose the 3rd instalment in “A Haunted Shell Shop Mystery” series by Molly MacRae set on Ocracoke Island, off the coast of North Carolina. I love this series!

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On North Carolina’s Ocracoke Island, Maureen Nash sells exquisite seashells to locals and tourists—with Bonny the shop cat and the ghost of a Welsh pirate for company. And when needed, she steps in to help the police solve a murder…

Dr. Irving Allred is boasting around town that he’s about to get his hands on an authentic haunted sword. But minutes after Maureen hears the story, a woman walks into the Moon Shell, sword in hand. She found it while walking her bulldog on the beach—and its blade is stained with what looks like blood. Looks like it’s time to call the sheriff’s department.

Allred is furious that his prize is now in police custody—and even more agitated that an unknown buyer was trying to outbid him. He’s convinced that the sword will lead him straight to the ghost he’s hunting. He’s not the only one on the Outer Banks who’s been searching for spirits, though. An odd visitor also showed up at Maureen’s shop claiming the ability sense them . . . though somehow she didn’t seem to notice Maureen’s spectral friend hanging about.

When a man who’d been camping nearby is found cut down along the shore, Maureen starts providing some unofficial assistance to Captain Rob Tate by digging into the island’s maritime history. But it’s not the only mystery she’s facing—because the shop’s resident ghost is seeing ghosts himself . . .

I enjoyed visiting Ocracoke Island off the coast of North Carolina again and hanging out with Maureen, Emrys, Burt and Glory. I also like how Maureen is starting to embrace seeing ghosts.

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.

I eagerly await the next instalment. 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.

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 Cornish Honeymoon Murder by Fiona Leitch

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "The Cornish Honeymoon Murder ” the 10th 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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Everyone always says that your honeymoon should be a holiday to remember…

Ex-Metropolitan Police sergeant Jodie Parker and her new husband, DCI Nathan Withers, are honeymooning at a luxurious eco-resort on a secluded Cornish island. But there's a twist: they're undercover, as the resort’s owner has hired them to investigate a series of sabotages, and Jodie's mum Shirley and daughter Daisy – and their dog, Germaine – have somehow managed to get themselves invited along too.

The happy couple plan to make the most of the five star facilities, while discreetly questioning staff and guests. However, when a fierce storm traps everyone on the island, tragedy strikes – a guest is found dead in the wreckage of the boathouse, and it looks like murder…

With a killer among them, it’s up to Jodie and Nathan to solve the mystery before another life is lost.

I love visiting Cornwall and Jodie, DCI Nathan Withers, Daisy, and her mum but let’s not forget about Germaine the Pomeranian! This time we are attending their makeshift honeymoon with Jodie’s mum Shirley and daughter Daisy along for the ride at a luxurious eco-resort on a secluded Cornish island. 

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 11 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 One More Chapter 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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The Armchair Detectives on Holiday by Matt Dunn

Hello my cozy friends, 

Today I am reviewing The Armchair Detectives on Holiday by Matt Dunn.  What a great follow-up to book one.

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Martin and Albie are jetting off for some sun and sangria. But they didn’t bank on finding a body on the beach…

Fresh from their last case at Twilight Lodge, Martin and Albie reward themselves with a relaxing trip to the sun-soaked island of Menorca.

But when they head down to breakfast one morning, they happen upon a panicked husband reporting his wife, bestselling author Karen Squires, missing. Soon afterwards they’re shocked to discover Karen’s body on the beach.

Local police call it a tragic accident: one look at the broken safety fence on the cliffs above suggests Karen fell. But the victim’s perfectly-manicured nails tells Martin that this was no accident. She was pushed.

Back at the hotel, the duo discover that Karen was running a retreat for writers, all of whom seem shocked by her untimely passing. But which one of them may have had a motive for murder? Was a fellow writer jealous of her success? Did her devoted husband feel sidelined?

As they hunt for clues, they realise that the answer may be found in one of Karen’s bestsellers and luckily for them, Albie’s girlfriend, Barbara, is her number one fan. A killer is hiding in plain sight. But to get to them, can they separate the fact from the fiction before it’s too late?

A totally gripping and heart-warming cozy mystery perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Robert Thorogood and Naomi Kuttner.

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

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

I requested and received an advanced readers copy from Bookouture 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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The Clew Bay Detectives by Pam Lecky

Hello my cozy friends, 

Today I am reviewing The Clew Bay Detectives by Pam Lecky.  What a great start to a new series, Pam Lecky is a new to me author but is definitely on my radar now.  I enjoyed this book and look forward to book 2.

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Welcome to Westport, where the wild beauty of Ireland’s western coast hides deadly secrets…

Reeling from a devastating breakup, landscape gardener Ali Brennan escapes to the small coastal town of Westport, hoping its rugged shoreline and quiet rhythms will help her rebuild her life. But peace is short lived when wealthy landowner John Clifford-Murphy is found dead on a remote island in Clew Bay – alone, and inexplicably without his phone or vital medication.

The local Gardaí are quick to rule the death an accident. Ali isn’t so sure… especially when Clifford-Murphy’s widow begs her to look more closely. Joined by her enthusiastic college-dropout nephew, Gav, Ali begins to ask questions the tight-knit community would rather leave unanswered. And when her ex-boyfriend, Detective Aidan Cahill, turns up to inform her that her life is under threat, Ali is forced to confront the past she thought she’d left behind.

As secrets surface, the danger escalates. When Ali herself becomes a target – waking terrified and alone on the shores of nearby lake Doo Lough – it’s clear the investigation has drawn her into something far darker than she ever imagined. Can Ali uncover the truth before the killer strikes again?

Perfect for fans of Emylia Hall, LJ Ross and Carlene O’Connor.

I absolutely loved it, the setting, main characters Ali,  Gav and of course Pip the cat.  I knew from the first few pages that I would be engrossed in the story, I just couldn’t stop reading.  I am eager to read more .
The story is well done and the characters are really a fun bunch.

It was entertaining, full of twists and turns and I did guess whodunnit but that did not distract from the story.  I’m sure in the next book character development and plot will improve and I won’t be able to guess. 

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

I requested and received an 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,

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The Armchair Detectives by Matt Dunn

Hello my cozy friends, 

Today I am reviewing The Armchair Detectives by Matt Dunn.  What a great start to a new series, I enjoyed this book and look forward to book 2.

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They might be over the hill but they’re far from six feet under and now there’s a murder to solve!

Meet Martin Maxwell. As a former government operative, at eighty-four-years young he always pictured a retirement sipping shaken-not-stirred martinis on a far-flung island. But in need of some care after a new hip, he finds himself at Twilight Lodge on the decidedly cloudy English coast.

From the outside, it’s a picture-perfect place to recuperate. But when popular resident Elsie dies unexpectedly, Martin suspects foul play. She’s the third death in less than two weeks and always had a clean bill of health. Armed with a walking stick and his trusty notebook and pen, Martin decides to investigate.

While nobody believes him – death is an inevitable part of care home life after all – Martin is convinced something sinister is afoot. With his wheelchair-bound sidekick and former nemesis Albie in tow, they begin questioning the residents. Soon they learn that there are several suspects in the frame.

When they discover Albie’s love interest Barbara is in the killer’s sights, Martin knows time is running out. Will Albie’s heart be broken forever, or can they battle the effects of old age andeach other, outwitting a murderer before it’s too late?

An absolutely hilarious and heartwarming cozy mystery perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Robert Thorogood, Jesse Q. Sutanto and Only Murders in the Building.

It was entertaining, full of twists and turns and I did guess whodunnit but that did not distract from the story.  I’m sure in the next book character development and plot will improve and I won’t be able to guess. 

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

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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Dungeons and Danger by Elizabeth Penney

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Dungeons and Danger” the 2nd instalment in The Ravensea Castle Mystery series by Elizabeth Penney set in the picturesque village of Monkwell, Yorkshire. What a great follow up to book one! 

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The second in Elizabeth Penney's Ravensea Castle cozy mystery series, set in a haunted castle-turned-B&B in Yorkshire, UK. 

As Halloween approaches, Ravensea Castle is bustling with excitement as Nora Asquith welcomes the fall season guests to her family's newly converted bed and breakfast. A historian studying the movements of the Vikings has traced their exploits to Ravensea. A certain Viking woman, known as the Red Maiden, landed here and the historian believes she buried a treasure hoard before the castle was built. He is hopeful he can find the hoard now. Nora can't help but wonder if the enigmatic castle ghost she's always referred to as the woman in red could be this very Viking?

Meanwhile, a team of four ghost hunters is coming to stay at Ravensea for the filming of Britain's Got Ghosts. Former students of the historian, the group arrives with their own rivalries and baggage. They try to see who can make the most paranormal contacts and end up getting more than they bargained for.

When the historian is murdered during a Viking festival on castle grounds and his notes go missing, Nora can't help but wonder if the treasure was why he was killed . . . and could it be connected to the visiting ghost hunters? Additional "accidents" befalling the hunters raise the stakes as Nora races to find the killer—and the treasure—before another death occurs.

I absolutely loved this story, the castle setting during Halloween along with the whole Viking and treasure hunting themes. 

I really like Nora, and her sister Tamsyn and I cant forget the furbabys Ruffian – a battered tabby, Rolf – a 200lb English mastiff and kitten, Primrose..  Makes you wish you were part of their little community.

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 highly recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends. I can’t wait for book 3!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from St. Martins 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,

Murder in Season by Rosie Sandler

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Murder in Season” the 5th instalment in The Gardener Mystery series by Rosie Sandler set across England.  This time we are in the Essex.

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The past can't stay buried forever...

Steph Williams and her inimitable dog Mouse are in picture-perfect Greenhaven, Essex - an Art Deco village built for factory workers in the 1920s. Tasked with designing a Centenary Garden, Steph is about to dig up more history than she bargained for. 

Because Greenhaven's charm hides more than a few tangled roots. From the poison pen of the Green Raven to the prickly Heritage Society, village gossip, rivalries and resentments run as wild as the weeds Steph's here to tame.

And when Steph's digger turns up two skeletons, she knows her project could be at the root of it all. But she'll have to tread carefully in this closed community, where everyone has something to hide.

When a fresh body shocks the village, it seems that murder is in season at Greenhaven. Can Steph unearth the truth before the killer decides she's dug too deep?

Gardener-turned-amateur-sleuth, Steph Williams finds herself pruning suspects instead of roses in this charming and unputdownable cosy crime novel. Perfect for fans of Fiona Leitch, M.C. Beaton and Richard Osman!

I enjoyed this story. As I have stated previously, I really like the bond between Steph and Mouse, but in this instalment I love the bond that forms between Steph and Nellie.  I hope Nellie pops up on further stories.  

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and had plenty of twists to keep you engaged right to the very end..     

I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends. I can’t wait for book 6!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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 Fish and Chip Shop Detectives and the Campervan Murder by Jenny Kane

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "The Fish and Chip Shop Detectives and the Campervan Murder” the 2nd instalment in The Fish and Chip Shop Detectives Mystery series by Jenny Kane set in Mousehole is a picturesque fishing village in Cornwall, England.  What a great follow up  to book 1.

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Don't miss the next instalment in the Fish and Chip Shop Detective Agency Series, available to pre-order now!

It's been a busy summer for the Fish and Chip Shop Detectives as they get drawn into their next investigation, hook, line and sinker...

The bustling streets of Mousehole are home to Robbins' Fish and Chip Shop, where Maggie and Ryan dish up the best fried goods Cornwall has to offer - and solve a crime or two.

When a villager is found dead, Maggie and Ryan rapidly find themselves deep in a new mystery.

But as the case unfolds, it becomes clear that something strange is simmering beneath Mousehole's serene surface. The enigmatic owner of the chip shop, Mr Robbins, is nowhere to be found. And when Maggie and Ryan search his campervan home, they find it already unlocked and completely ransacked...

Where is Mr Robbins? Is his disappearance linked to the murder? As the fish and chip shop detectives face a boatload of questions, can they catch the killer before someone winds up dead?

The Fish and Chip Shop Detectives
Forty-eight-year-old Maggie is a lover of puzzles. When she's not working at Robbins' Fish and Chip Shop, she can be found on her sofa, nursing a cup of tea and solving the latest mystery thrown at the detectives in Death in Paradise, Midsomer Murders and more. Maggie's found a firm friendship with Ryan, a newcomer to Mousehole. When he's not busy sleuthing, Ryan enjoys nursing a pint at The Mariner pub. Together, Maggie and Ryan serve the best fish and chips - and solve crimes as The Fish and Chip Shop Detectives.

The Setting
Mousehole is a picturesque fishing village in Cornwall, known for its scenic harbour, winding streets, and tiny sandy beach. It's also home to Robbins' Fish and Chip Shop, the only chippy in town. Tourists and locals alike enjoy a battered cod whilst admiring the calm waterfront. And if you want a side of gossip with your food, make sure you get to the chip shop at exactly 6 o'clock, where you'll find local pensioner Harry, who is always up for a natter...

I love the story and the I enjoyed catching up with Maggie and Ryan. I was saddened about some things but definitely like where the characters are heading.  

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.

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

Whose Body in the Library by Eva Gates

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Whose Body in the Library ” the 13th 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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A new librarian’s first day goes terribly wrong when she finds a dead body on the front steps of the library.  

In the thirteenth installment of the beloved Lighthouse Library mysteries, a new character takes the reins.

While Lucy McNeil is enjoying her new job as the mother of twin boys and library director, new librarian Nichelle Gilchrest has just arrived at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library, reporting for duty. But life throws a wrench on Nichelle’s first day when she finds a body on the steps—a body that bears a startling resemblance to her father, who disappeared on a fishing trip to the Outer Banks thirty-eight years ago. 

Fingerprints confirm the dead body is indeed Nichelle’s father, now living in Nags Head under the name Brian Saunders. Brian had been befriending older lonely women in exchange for money, but was he working alone? 

Detective Rhonda Thomas is on the case, and the suspect list is only getting longer. Sorting through the wronged women and their relatives, Detective Thomas discovers Nichelle’s own brother Brad had been in Nags Head a few days before the murder happened and has been lying about his whereabouts.

Hoping to clear her brother’s name, Nichelle decides to investigate what happened. With seasoned sleuth Lucy’s gentle encouragement for the amateur, Nichelle is in for an exciting and dangerous first week at the library.

This time the story is more centred around new librarian Nichelle who finds a body on the steps—a body that bears a startling resemblance to her father, who disappeared on a fishing trip to the Outer Banks thirty-eight years ago. 

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

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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