review

Haunted Homicide: A Haunted homicide Mystery Series #1 – Lucy Ness

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Hello to all my fellow readers, and welcome back! Well; welcome back to me, since I have not posted in forever. Sometimes life, family, and work have other plans of how one will spend their time! I will save that to post on my Parenthood and Other Horror Stories Blog!

As I normally do on my trips to the bookstore, I head for the cozy mystery section and look for a new series that I have not read yet, with a couple books in it to get started with. Currently there are only 2 books in this series, but I am hoping for more.

Avery Morgan is the new manager of the Portage Path Women’s Club (PPWC). She is also the only person who can see Clemmie Bow, the ghost that lives in the basement, a victim of an accidental shooting almost 100 years ago. As unnerved as Avery is at first at communicating with a ghost, Clemmie is excited to have a new friend she can communicate with.

A fire that damages one of the rooms in the house seems to be something much more than an accidental fire due to someone smoking in the room. With Clemmie’s help, Avery now has to figure out who killed the President of the club, and what the fire has to do with it. There are a few people who had good reason to want to be gone of Muriel, and there is more that one person who would rather Avery not be in Portage Path at all. Could she be the next victim?

I really enjoyed the first book in this new series, and plan on starting the second book, and hopefully finishing it as well, this weekend.

What books have you been reading lately? Do you have a favorite cozy series or author?

For more information about Lucy Ness, please click here: https://www.mystery-book-series.com/lucy-ness/

‘Til Dirt Do Us Part – A Local Foods Mystery Book 2 – Edith Maxwell

Angela4 Comments

Til Dirt Do Us Part Book 2 cover image

Cam Flaherty is hosting her first community dinner at the farm for all the members of her farm share program, as well as getting ready for the Fall Festival. What she hadn’t planned on was the murder of Irene Burr, a local businesswoman who had done her due diligence to get under the skin of more than one Westbury resident.

Her personal life brings Cam some comfort and she begins dating Jake, the chef at The Market restaurant.  But can she focus on her farm and relationship, and leave the detective work to the police? Will Cam find out who the killer is before she becomes a victim herself?

This is another fun read from the Local Foods Mystery series, and the characters from the first book are enough to keep you wanting more of their stories.

I try not to give away spoilers, which can sometimes be hard when reviewing cozy mysteries. This is a great series, with vibrant descriptions of not only the characters, but of the town as well. You will see yourself walking the town (or biking, as Cam so often does) of Westbury, Massachusetts as you read through this story!

A Tine to Live, a Tine to Die: A Local Food Mystery #1 – Edith Maxwell

Angela4 Comments

Although this is not a new cozy series, it is new to me. The first book was published in 2013 and there are 5 books in the series.

a Tine to Live, a Tine to Die Book 1 Cover Image

Cam Flaherty has newly taken over her Uncle and late Aunt’s farm, growing organic produce for the locals in Westbury, Massachusetts. She has a co-op of subscribers who come weekly to the farm to pick up their share of fresh produce. Most also volunteer at the farm with the various chores that keep Cam busy every day.

Shortly after Cam had to fire Mike Montgomery, he was found dead in her yard with her pitchfork in his neck, which proves to be a serious situation for Cam and a couple of other suspects. Cam finds herself juggling her farm work, the police, and a possible new romance while trying to get her new farm up and running.

Can she find the killer in time to save her reputation, and the reputation of her farm? This is a quick, fun read that you will be glad you picked up!

You can read more about Edith and her books on her website here: Edith Maxwell Website

What books have you been reading over the past couple of months? Any favorite cozies you would recommend? I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

Cozies for Your Quarantine –

Angela23 Comments

This is a time like no other; a time that no one (nearly no one) alive today has experienced before. Depending where you live, you could be deep into this, or it is just starting to hit your area. Michigan has shut down all kindergarten through 12th grade schools, nearly all colleges are doing online classes with campuses and dorms being closed. State and City businesses are closed as well.

I, however, still get to go to work every day. It would take a Presidential order for that to change! 😊 My teenager will be home for the next 3-4 weeks, and I already have a list of things in my mind that she can do around the house once her schoolwork is done. I’m not holding my breath (no pun intended), but hopefully she can help me out!

What doesn’t help is that my 3 local libraries are also closed. I have 3 books checked out right now (a cozy series) that I have to read yet, but I was hoping to get more picked up. I have many different books downloaded on my Nook, so I will be happy to start getting those read instead.

Some of my favorite cozy series are listed below!

Sherry Harris – Sarah Winston Garage Sale Series

Julianna Deering – Drew Farthering Mysteries

Maddie Day (Edith Mawell) – Country Store Mystery Series 

Kelly Lane – Olive Grove Mysteries

Bailey Cates – Magical Bakery Mystery Series

Kylie Logan – Ethnic Eats Mystery Series

What are you reading? Are you quarantined? Sick? Caring for someone who is sick? How are you handling this new Normal we have for at least the next few weeks?

My Soul is a Burden for the Universe – Antheias Ghost

Angela5 Comments

I’m your orbiter
beyond the sky and stars
beyond time itself

I’ve always been here
patiently
waiting for you to come back home

I’ll keep the dust away, because I know it makes you sneeze
I’ll set the table one more time, and make sure your bed stays smelling fresh.
I know how much you love the feeling of a clean bed.

and I’ll play your song one more time
echoing it through all of space itself

my heart

crying out for its lover

a single moment
and everything stands still

the dust settling again
and I’m back to work

bracing my heart, for the impact of your arrival
and making sure, the dust never sits too long.

The Begonia Bribe – Alyse Carlson

Angela5 Comments

Book 2 in the Garden Society Mystery series.

the begonia bribe cover image

This was a great follow-up to The Azalea Assault. Cam (Camellia) Harris is now tasked with managing the Little Miss Begonia Pageant being held in one of Roanoke’s nicest parks. Cam runs into one of her least favorite people from high school, Mindy, and Cam’s best friend Annie likes her even less. Cam never expected she would get so wrapped up into Mindy’s personal life, but there she is, right in the middle.

Cam once again gets her reporter boyfriend Rob, as well as Annie, caught up in a murder investigation. Annie’s boyfriend, and Rob’s best friend Jake, Police officer in Roanoke, keeps trying his best to get Cam to mind her own business. Cam just seems to always be one step ahead of him.

There are many characters intertwined in this story, from past and present, and again you do not see it coming. The storyline is great, and the characters are well rounded and you really feel for them. Can Cam figure out who the murderer is before more lives are ruined?

I am looking for some new cozy series to read while Michigan is officially closed, so let me know your favorites!

The Azalea Assault – Alyse Carlson

Angela10 Comments

This is the first of three cozy mysteries in the Garden Society Mystery series. As the 3rd one was written in 2014, I do not expect there to be others. Truly a shame ☹

the azalea assault cover image

Cam Harris is the PR person for the Roanoke Garden Society, and gardening has never been more dangerous. When the nationally celebrated Garden Delights magazine agrees to come to Roanoke to feature Roanoke’s best gardens, Cam is tasked with making sure everything goes off without a hitch.

With the help of her best friend Annie, and her boyfriend Rob, she soon finds herself in the middle of a bunch of suspects who had motive to kill the star photographer. Now she not only needs to find another photographer, she also needs to keep her sister Petunia and brother-in-law Nick on the right side of the law, as they soon become the main suspects.

There are a lot of characters wrapped up in this book, but they all have their place in the story, and it flows smoothly from one chapter to the next. If you have read many cozies (such as I have), you sometimes can see what is coming next. This story keeps you guessing to the end.

There are descriptions of many different plants, but not much on the side of actual gardening tips (which I wasn’t expecting).

Here in Michigan right now we are wrapped in the middle of a polar vortex, and literally the whole state is shut down. Which means I took tomorrow off from work, so I have plenty of time to finish book three, write review number two, and do some writing for my own cozy mystery book number 1!

You can learn more about Alyse here: Alyse Carlson – Penguin Random House

Are you trapped inside too? What are you reading to get you by?

The President is Missing…

Angela14 Comments

…I loved it; liked it; had a few moments of mehhhhh.

It takes a LOT of hype to get me to buy a book outright, but I really wanted to read this one. I am glad to have it in my library, and to be able to loan it to friends. But I would not read it again. I am a huge fan of re-reading books, so I felt a little let down.

The President is Missing

I feel at this point that so many people have read this book that my review would mean nil, so I am not writing a review here.

I am more curious about how all of you felt about this book?

I am a huge fan of Patterson, and have no issues with Bill Clinton (Yes, as a woman and the whole scandal; sorry, but I do not care).

Did you read this? What did you think?

French Fried – Kylie Logan

Angela5 Comments

I finished the second book in the Ethnic Eats Mystery series rather quickly, and am hoping that the 3rd book is available at my library.

French Fried cover image

This time around the theme for the Terminal restaurant is French food, and along with that is the murder of a very close friend of Laurel and her Aunt Sophie. There are too many suspects, and not enough clues, but with Laurel’s determination, the help of her boyfriend Declan, and asking the right questions, Laurel again helps solve the case.

I liked this book better than the first, Irish Stewed, but that may be because I am now familiar with the characters, and the writing style of the author.

I know I have a cozy mystery series in my library that I had started quite some time ago, with a couple books I have not finished, so I think instead of getting too many books from the library today (yeah, right!), I will go to my own library and see what is there to read!

 

Irish Stewed – Kylie Logan

Angela1 Comment

This is the first book in the Ethnic Eats Mystery cozy series. Laurel Inwood, a professional chef, moves from California to Hubbard, Ohio to help manage her Aunt Sophie’s restaurant while she has and recovers from knee surgery.

Irish Stewed cover image

Sophie has lied to Laurel about the type of restaurant she owns, and instead of finding a luxurious restaurant, she finds The Terminal, a run-down restaurant that most would refer to as a “greasy Spoon” restaurant. Not happy with her Aunt’s deceit, Laurel ends up staying to help out.

The dead body of the famous local reporter that is found in the dining room on the night of her arrival may have peaked her interest as well.

Laurel has no idea who to trust, as well as her own list of suspects, including the handsome owner of the Irish gift shop, Declan Fury, and her own Aunt Sophie. Laurel has plenty to keep her busy as she tries to bring the Terminal back to life, and figure out which one of her new acquaintances’ is a murderer.

Initially the patrons are slow to take to the idea of a new menu, but with the help of Declan, soon Laurel has an idea to get the Terminal packed with customers. Featuring ethnic foods for one or two weeks at a time, the customers are loving it, but Laurel now needs to let Sophie in on what she has done.

This is a quick read with lots of action and a great storyline! I am already reading the second book in the series, French Fried.

What are your current cozy mystery favorites?