A Poisonous Palate by Lucy Burdette

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "A Poisonous Palate" the 14th 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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The heat is turned up for Hayley Snow and her friends in the next installment of the Key West Food Critic mystery series by USA Today bestselling author Lucy Burdette.

When food critic Hayley Snow receives an intriguing email about a mysterious, decades-old disappearance, her curiosity is piqued. Writer Catherine Davitt has returned to the Keys to research a book about Hemingway’s wives, but she’s also on the hunt for the truth about her missing friend. Hayley quickly agrees to help investigate and they hit the road to see what clues they might find.

Back in the late 1970s, Catherine and her friend Veronica were part of a group of lost souls camping in the mangroves of Big Pine Key, until Veronica vanished, and the sheriff’s office cleared out the camp. Catherine and Hayley begin interviewing Big Pine Key residents who were around at the time of Veronica’s disappearance, but uncover more questions than answers. 

Catherine and Hayley stop to speak with a motel owner who frequented the fringes of the commune, but they find him stabbed to death. Then Catherine also goes missing, and signs point to a connection between the old case and the new murder. It’s up to Hayley to unravel the knot of secrets and lies before time runs out.

I really enjoyed this story and hanging out with Haley, Miss Gloria!  I must say I really do love octogenarian Miss Gloria and all the things she does and says.  I enjoyed learning about Hemingway and his wives too.

Catherine and Hayley stop to speak with a motel owner who frequented the fringes of the commune, but they find him stabbed to death. Then Catherine also goes missing, and signs point to a connection between the old case and the new murder. It’s up to Hayley to unravel the knot of secrets and lies before time runs out.

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and I liked trying to figure out who killed Catherine’s friend in 1978 and one of the suspects today.

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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Fake It 'til You Make It by Laura Carter

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Fake It 'til You Make It " by Laura Carter. 

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'What a breath of fresh air this book is! A perfect, playful escape.' Samantha Tonge 

Can a fake date fix everything?

On a day Abbey thought would be the best of her life – her boyfriend is surely going to propose tonight, right? – it all falls apart: he tells her he’s met someone else. And then to make things worse, she loses her job.

In an act of reimagination, she splurges her wedding savings on renting an apartment in a building she’s always dreamed of living in and kits out her wardrobe to match.

But when her family invites her ex – a close family friend – plus a date(!!) to her parents’ vow renewal, Abbey realizes her façade won’t be enough. There’s nothing for it but to fake one more thing – a romance. And she knows exactly who to ask... her hot new neighbor...

A laugh-out-loud fake-dating rom com, with a chemistry you’ll be thinking about long after turning the last page. Perfect for fans of The Hating Game and Elena Armas

“Fake It ‘til You Make It” by Laura Carter is a delightful read that I devoured in just one day! I was thrilled to find that part of the story takes place in Banff, Alberta, Canada, close to my hometown.

This charming tale has everything: fake dating, family, friendship, and second chances. The characters are well-developed and witty, with banter that had me laughing out loud. The supporting cast, including friends, family, and even the unlikable exes, added depth and humor to the story. I loved how the author skillfully wove together all the elements, making this a must-read for anyone looking for a light-hearted, feel-good romance. I'm eager to explore more of Laura Carter's books in the future!”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Boldwood Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting my little blog!

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

Hugs, 

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The Cruel Dark by Bea Northwick

Hello my bookish friends,

Today I am reviewing The Cruel Dark by Bea Northwick.  I found it atmospheric, suspenseful and I just had to know the answers and what happens. I read almost in one sitting. 

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Northwick presents a dark love story that sparkles with elements of gothic horror and more modern romance." - Kirkus Reviews

Millicent Foxboro is haunted.

Not by ghosts, but by the anguish of her past and the uncertainty of her future. After all, even in the progressive year of 1928, most people would balk at hiring a woman who’d spent two months in a mental ward for traumatic amnesia. So when an uncommon assistantship to a reclusive Professor of mythology falls into her lap with an ungodly salary attached, her desperation for stability overrides her cautious nature.

To Millie’s dismay, the widowed Professor Callum Hughes and his estate, Willowfield, are more than she bargained for. The once magnificent home, known for its sprawling gardens and dazzling parties, is falling to pieces after the death of the professor’s fragile wife. What’s more, the staff has been reduced to the only three people not frightened away by rumors of ghosts, leaving the halls empty and languishing in bitter memories.

The professor himself is a grim, intense man with unclear expectations, unpredictable moods, and hungry eyes that ignite Millie’s own dormant passions. The closer she finds herself drawn to Professor Hughes and his strange world of flowers and folklore, the more the house closes in, threatening to reveal her secrets. But the professor is keeping secrets of his own and the most dangerous of all is hers to discover.

I was fully immersed in Millie's journey as she began her new life in Willowfield, uncovering dark secrets and hidden motives. The author skillfully crafted complex characters with concealed traits and agendas, keeping me guessing until the very end.

The slow-burn romance between Millie and Callum was captivating, and the eerie atmosphere of the house added to the sense of foreboding. The twists and turns were expertly handled, leading to a stunning conclusion that left me breathless. I didn't see it coming, and it was absolute perfection! This book is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and suspenseful storytelling.

I will definitely read other books by this author.

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

Follow my blog with Bloglovin