The Poison Pen Murders by Dee MacDonald

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "The Poison Pen Murders” the 5th instalment in An Ally McKinley Mystery series by Dee MacDonald set in the in the quaint village of Loccharran.  

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Anonymous letters, a years-old mystery and… a dead body? Ally McKinley is on the case!

Ally McKinley might be the owner of the cosiest little guesthouse in the Scottish Highlands, but she also has a reputation as an amateur detective! So when a threatening note drops through her elderly neighbour Juliet Munro’s door, Ally is called in to investigate. But what first seems like a nasty prank soon proves lethal, when the very next day, Juliet is found murdered…

Her faithful dog Flora by her side, Ally soon learns that more than one woman in Locharran has received a poison pen letter. And though locals’ lips are sealed over coffee and cake, Ally skilfully unlocks the old Locharran mystery that connects the recipients: they were all rumoured to be involved in the death of a young woman called Marie McKay. Is someone trying to stamp out Marie’s killer? And if so, who in Locharran is not who they seem? 

A faded photo of a little blond boy with pale eyes has Ally on the right track, but when a woman’s scream shatters the village’s gentle calm, can Ally sort through the secrets before the post delivers another murder?

Fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Clare Chase will love this totally addictive and cozy mystery set in the beautiful Scottish Highlands from bestselling author Dee MacDonald.

In this instalment, when a threatening note drops through her elderly neighbour Juliet Munro’s door, Ally is called in to investigate. But what first seems like a nasty prank soon proves lethal, when the very next day, Juliet is found murdered…

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

Overall, I'm thoroughly invested in this series and excited to see where the author takes these endearing characters.

I'm eagerly anticipating the next instalment to see how the series evolves. If you're a fan of cozy mysteries, Scottish settings, or amateur sleuths, this book is a great choice.

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Bookouture 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 Liars' Book Club by Ellery Adams

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "The Liars' Book Club by Ellery Adams” the 9th instalment in the "The Secret, Book & Scone Society" Mystery series by Ellery Adams. This book can be read as a standalone but I highly recommend you read in order to get the full background.

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In the latest installment of Ellery Adams’ USA Today bestselling series, as clouds gather over the Great Smoky Mountains, an absent groom, a stolen historical document, and a book club coming apart at the seams stir up a different sort of storm in this engaging mystery. How far will one book lover go to keep a secret?

As the townsfolk of Miracle Springs, North Carolina, know all too well, water can be healing—or devastating. With a big storm coming, residents are stocking up on essentials. Hoping to beat the storm, Nora is sitting in the Unitarian Church with her fellow wedding guests, all of whom belong to Sheldon’s Blind Date Book Club. As rain hammers the stained-glass windows, the bride, Jess, waits in the back of the church—but where is the groom? When a branch crashes through a stained-glass window, Jess finally tells the guests to go home.

With the help of her friend Sheldon, Nora escorts Jess to the Lodge. It’s now become clear that Jess’s fiancé Ravi is missing. But there’s no searching for him now, as the Miracle River has flooded and they’re stuck on this side of town. By morning, they awaken to widespread devastation and a call from Sheriff McCabe. A body has been pulled out of the river, dressed in a tux.

On top of this tragic turn of events, Jess returns home to find her house has been spared from the raging water, but ransacked, with an extremely valuable folio from an illuminated manuscript now missing. As Miracle Books becomes the community hub for information, shelter, and hope, Nora and the Secret, Book, and Scone Society put their heads together to solve the murder and the theft.

But then a second body is pulled from the river . . .

As usual I was utterly drawn in by the story, making it impossible to put down. I devoured it in one day, curled up with a hot cup of tea and snuggling Lindi - completely absorbed! Clouds gather over the Great Smoky Mountains, an absent groom, a stolen historical document, and a book club coming apart at the seams stir up a different sort of storm. How far will one book lover go to keep a secret?

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and had just enough twists and turns to keep you engrossed in the story till the end.  This series never fails to evoke strong emotions and leaves me feeling fulfilled. 

I'm eagerly awaiting book 10!  If you're a fellow mystery lover, do yourself a favor and dive into this series - I highly recommend it!"

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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Joy to the Bones by Carolyn Haines

Hello my cozy friends, 

Today I am reviewing  "Joy to the Bones" by Carolyn Haines the 31st and last instalment in the "A Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery" series which releases on October 27th.   I absolutely love this series and am so sad its over!

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In this final installment of the series, sassy Southern private investigator Sarah Booth Delaney is up against her biggest—and most personal—mystery yet.

Still reeling from the discovery that her parents’ deaths, decades ago, might not have been an accident, Private Investigator Sarah Booth Delaney doesn’t know who to believe anymore. Her best friend and business partner, Tinkie, purposefully kept her in the dark; her lover, Coleman, intentionally lied to her; and her meddlesome ghost-turned-spiritual-guide, Jitty, kept more secrets than she can count. Now, even the people Sarah Booth once trusted more than anything are suspect.

Armed with new knowledge about her parents’ car crash, Sarah Booth sets out to solve her biggest case yet: her parents’ murder. And she’s prepared to do it alone if she has to.

But the Mississippi Delta doesn’t pause for anyone, not even Sarah Booth. While trying to untangle the truth about her parents’ fate, Sarah Booth gets roped into investigating the DeLonge Mansion, a magnificent old house with seemingly no one left alive to claim it. With the return of her nemesis, Gertrude Stromm, looming over her head—and the pieces of her failed relationships still scattered around her—Sarah Booth has her work cut out for her this holiday season.

I always enjoy visiting with Sarah and Tinkie it’s like coming home to old friends.  I always learn something, this time Sarah Booth and Tinkie are investigating the DeLonge Mansion, a magnificent old house with seemingly no one left alive to claim it.  Along with investigating what happened to her parents and who exactly murdered them. 

There were plenty of twists and turns and lots to keep you intrigued.  I found this book to be a real page-turner, and reading in one day.   Carolyn did an amazing job of wrapping up the series.

 
I highly recommend this book and series to all my cozy mystery friends. 

I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from St. Martins Press 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,

A Deadly Garden Party by Elspeth Marlowe

Hello my cozy friends, 

Today I am reviewing A Deadly Garden Party by Elspeth Marlowe.  What a great start to a new series, I enjoyed this book and look forward to book 2. Ms. Marlowe is a new to me author but I definitely will read more from her.

Buy here for 99cents 

In this garden club, the competition is killer.

Delia Norris hoped Magnolia Grove's prestigious garden club would help her plant new roots after her divorce. Instead, when the club president drops dead at the annual garden party, Delia finds herself surrounded by suspects with secrets to bury.

A bitter rival. A nervous treasurer. A ruined landscaper. An estranged stepdaughter. Everyone has something to hide — and everyone has a motive.

With her sharp eye for detail and Captain, her opinionated African gray parrot, offering commentary at the worst possible moments, Delia digs beneath Magnolia Grove's picture-perfect surface. Because in this town, the deadliest things grow in the prettiest gardens.

A Deadly Garden Party is the first Magnolia Grove Cozy Mystery — a charming small-town whodunit with a clever amateur sleuth, a scene-stealing parrot, and a cast of neighbors worth returning to. Perfect for a quick, cozy read you can finish with a cup of tea.

Pull up a chair at the garden party — just don't drink the tea.

I liked the small-town setting of Magnolia Grove, the characters of Delia And Captain, her opinionated African gray parrot.  I especially liked following Delia's observations as she slowly worked through the mystery and tried to figure out who was responsible.

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 BooksGoSocial 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 Lighthouse Legacy by Jo James

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "A Lighthouse Legacy by Jo James” the 5th instalment in A Gift Shop Mystery series set in Port Huron, Michigan.  Each book is written by a different author and this time it is a new to me author.

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A Lighthouse Legacy is the fifth book in Guideposts’ Gift Shop Mysteries fiction series. 

Gift shop owner Sarah Morgan is helping Justine Hendricks, a young scholar, with a research project—but then a nineteenth-century logbook and diary entrusted to the student disappear! Since Justine is part of a group volunteering at the Port Hope Lighthouse, there are plenty of nearby suspects who could be responsible for the theft. To make matters worse, rumors are swirling that the lighthouse is haunted—a thing Sarah doesn’t believe for a moment. 

Soon Sarah and Justine are drawn into the compelling story of a nineteenth-century woman who may well have been Michigan’s first official female lighthouse keeper. Sarah will need all her sleuthing skills if she is to uncover the surprising connections between the modern-day theft, the strange happenings at the lighthouse, and this dauntless woman from the past. 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. 

A  Lighthouse Legacy by Jo James 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 revolves around an a nineteenth-century logbook and diary that has been stolen.  Soon Sarah and Justine are drawn into the compelling story of a nineteenth-century woman who may well have been Michigan’s first official female lighthouse keeper. 

I am also like where things are heading with Sarah and Flint. The mystery is interesting and well plotted, full of twists and turns.  I recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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,

A Christmas Bookstore Murder by Sue Minix

Hello my cozy friends, 

Today I am reviewing A Christmas Bookstore Murder by Sue Minix the 8th instalment in the "A Bookstore Mystery" series. I enjoyed this book and look forward to book 9!

Buy here  for $2.99

Can she close the book on a killer close to home?

It should be the most wonderful time of the year, but when a stranger turns up dead after a Christmas party, the festive season is about to be anything but merry for the small town of Riddelton…luckily local crime writer turned amateur sleuth Jen is on the case.

When Jen’s friend Angus is arrested for the murder, she knows he must be innocent, but can she prove it?

As she investigates, Jen uncovers a trail of grief spanning generations past, a stolen future, and a killer who will stop at nothing to keep the past buried… even targeting Jen herself. The stakes have never been higher.

Can Jen uncover the truth and bring the killer to justice in time for the holidays?

I really enjoyed visiting Riddleton again and Ravenous Reads Bookstore.  I like the main cast of characters Jen, Charlie, Lacey, Eric, Ingrid and of course Savannah the German shepherd. When Jen’s friend Angus is arrested for the murder, she knows he must be innocent, but can she prove it?

There was lots to unravel in this instalment, secrets from Angus' past, Jen's feelings about christmas, and someones secrets that they want left buried.

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

I requested and received an advanced readers copy from Harper Collins/Avon and NetGalley.  All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.

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

Thank you for stopping by and visiting my little blog!

I always love reading comments and getting to know my fellow cozy lovers.

Hugs,

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A Murder at Midnight by Ellie Alexander

Hello my cozy friends, 

Today I am reviewing A Murder at Midnight by Ellie Alexander the 3rd instalment in the " Novel Detectives Mystery" series.  

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It’s autumn in Redwood Grove, and Annie and Fletcher have their hands full running the Secret Bookcase and handling their growing caseload at the Novel Detectives.

To add to the excitement, a popular ghost hunter has set his sights on the old English estate to feature on  his hit TV show—Sleeping with the Spirits—and is going to record an episode overnight at the bookstore. It seems like a great idea for publicity and a fun way to generate more revenue.

But when the star of the show is found dead, Annie and Fletcher know they’re dealing with something much more alarming than an angry poltergeist.

It’s up to the Novel Detectives to track down the real culprit and put an end to any otherworldly rumors—before someone else gets hurt.

This gripping cozy mystery will have you sleeping with the lights on! 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 Novel Detective Agency.  A ghost hunting tv show wants to film an episode in the store but when the star of the show is found dead, Annie and Fletcher must track down the killer before someone else gets hurt.

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,

The Sugar and Spice Bookshop Bakery by Jennifer Page

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing “ The Sugar and Spice Bookshop Bakery” by Jennifer Page.  What can I say other than I loved it and read in one day.  Who doesn’t want to escape to a small town in the Yorkshire countryside...

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A delicious read... Book and cake lovers alike will enjoy indulging in this cosy romance' Lily Chen, author of The Matcha Maker Cafe

Louise Dearnley has spent her life editing perfectly neat love stories, where heartbreak leads to fresh starts, charming small businesses bloom, and happily-ever-afters are guaranteed.

But now in her forties, she's quit her job – and no, she doesn't want to talk about why – and returned home to Applethwaite, the small Yorkshire village where she grew up. Starting over doesn't feel nearly so much fun in real life as it does in fiction.

It also doesn't help that her mother is convinced she's here to run the family bakery, especially as the locals can't get enough of Louise's legendary ginger cake and scrumptious scones. Between renovations, a quirky ex-stepdaughter (who's unexpectedly come to stay) and a gorgeous Italian who seems too good to be true, Louise's second chance begins to take shape.

After a lifetime spent polishing other people's happy endings, will Louise finally have one of her own?

PERFECTS FOR FANS OF: 

- Gilmore Girls and Virgin River
- Second chance romance 
- Bookish hooks
- Sweet treats
- Found family 
- All things cosy

The setting of a tiny village called Applethwaite sounded like just my cup of tea, I could picture it especially as I have visited small villages in England.  It had everything you could want in a story friendship, community and love. 

I found the characters to be well developed, and multi-dimensional. It’s a great start to a new series, and I can’t wait to pick up the authors next book! 

I will definitely read other books by this author.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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

Deck the Halls with Boughs of Murder by Jacqueline Frost

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing Deck the Halls with Boughs of Murder the 7th instalment in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series by Jacqueline Frost.  

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Mistletoe and murder go hand in hand in the seventh installment of the Christmas Tree Farm mysteries from bestselling author Jacqueline Frost.

New parents Holly White and Sheriff Evan Gray are sleep deprived but incandescently happy to be celebrating their baby’s first Christmas. Their family, friends, and neighbors are spoiling the newest addition. Adding to the perfect holiday season is the recent completion of their newly built home. All that’s left to do is move in and send off those change-of-address cards. But their cup full of cheer turns sour when Holly discovers a dead body. 

It all started with a sweet trip down memory lane—Candy Cane Lane and Toyland were two of Holly’s favorites as a child, and she had been looking forward to sharing them with her baby. Then she stumbled upon the body of Greysen, the animal keeper, left among the reindeer at the petting zoo. 

Earlier in the day, Holly witnessed a fight between Greysen and a stranger. Stranger still, the reindeer petting zoo had originally been empty that day—no reindeer in sight until they reappeared along with a corpse. 

As Holly fights to keep the Christmas spirit alive, she is Greysen’s only chance at justice—and her baby’s only chance at a happy first Christmas.

Omg I loved it! I love this series and hope that Julie can write more in the series in 2027!. 

What a great story to get us in the Christmas spirit. I love reading books about Christmas all year long. I loved the characters and want to be friends with Holly, Evan, Libby, Ray, Cookie, Carolyn, Samantha etc. as with most of Julie’s books you fall in love with the characters. Holly has so much going on between being a new mum, helping out at the family tree farm, building her dream home, and now another murder at Toyland.

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and had just enough twists and turns to keep you engrossed in the story till the end. 

I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.

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 Wedding Date with Death by Maeve Haran

Hello my cozy friends, 

Today I am reviewing A Wedding Date with Death by Maeve Haran the 2nd instalment in The Campervan Detective Mystery series. 

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Something old, something new, something borrowed… someone dead?! 

When Sadie Sutton swapped four walls for the four wheels of her trusty orange VW campervan, she didn’t realise that it would come with a new career as a super sleuth! But when a wedding at local beauty spot Winching Priory Hotel is halted because the father of the groom has been found fatally poisoned, Sadie drops everything to take on her next case!

As the wedding grinds to a halt, Sadie soon learns that the victim, gifted local artist Benedict Lawrence, also had a talent for making enemies, from the snooty hotel owners to his long-suffering ex-wife. With an ever-growing list of possible suspects, Sadie is stumped. Until she finds a crumpled, threatening note sent to Benedict hours before he died.

The note leads Sadie deep into Benedict’s past, to a secret love affair, a bitter feud and a long-buried grudge. And when she finds a faded newspaper article about him and his artist friends in their youth, she’s stunned at who else she recognises in the photo…

With secrets and lies at every turn, Sadie knows no guests are safe. Can she crack the case before the nearly wed become newly dead?

This warm, witty and utterly addictive cosy crime novel from bestselling author Maeve Haran is perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, The Thursday Murder Club and Robert Thorogood.

What readers are saying about The Campervan Detectives series:

‘Agatha Christie with a splash of Marian Keyes and plenty of wine, friendship and fresh starts… Kept me guessing… the friendships, humour and warm community feel really made this oneshine.’ kelsiesinkandpages

‘A joy to read… very funny. Fantastic… highly recommended.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Like a breath of sea air – fresh, charming, and just a little bit mischievous… Ajoy… Delightful… full of heart, humour… keep you turning the pages.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Amazing… This book had everything… Hooked by the end of the first chapter… If I could give it 10 stars I would… Fabulous.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Absolutely brilliant… My cup of tea. Gripped from the beginning. Amazing… Loveit.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I absolutely loved it, the setting, main characters Sadie, Sam Spade the dog and “The Vintage Vanettes” . Just like in book one I knew I would be engrossed in the story.  The story is well done and the characters are really a fun bunch. Its fast becoming one of my favorite cozy mystery series.

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,

Follow my blog with Bloglovin