Book Review: Dead on Target

 

Title: Dead on Target

Author: M.C. Beaton with R.W. Green

This was my first time reading an Agatha Raisn cozy mystery. While it is part of a series, I do feel this can be read as a stand alone novel, as the author does a good job of giving enough background on the characters so the reader is not confused.

Agatha is a middle-aged woman running a detective agency. She does come off as a bit brash to a new reader, so that took some time getting used to. While I appreciate a strong woman, she both yelled at someone for calling her a "fiesty little filly", and then in the same chapter had to eat her saugage roll behind a tent so people wouldn't see her getting crumbs on herself. It sort of seems hard to imagine it being the same person.

That said, the mystery was great! Agatha finds the body of a man in the woods. When the police are brought in, she doesn't have the best relationship with the lead investigator. Now she needs to find the killer to clear her name. The book is a great cozy mystery!

Thank you to Netgally for the advanced copy!

Book Review: The Fatal Folio

 

Title: The Fatal Folio (Cambridge Bookshop #3)

Author: Elizabeth Penney

Molly Kimball, while busy helping her family run their bookshop and cataloguing an enormous library belonging to her boyfriend's family, finds herself embroiled in a mystery involving an old manuscript. The Fatal Folio, both the name of this cozy mystery and the Gothic novel that exists within the book, becomes the basis for this story. 

On Guy Fawkes Night, Molly, Kieran, and their friends find a body. However, the man who was murdered had previously been arguing with Kieran's cousin who becomes the prime suspect. Later, the original manuscript of The Fatal Folio goes missing. She knows the two are intertwined, but she isn't sure how. Will she be able to find the manuscript and solve the murder before the killer finds her?

This is the third book in the Cambridge Bookshop series. However, the author writes in such a way that you can jump into the series without reading the first two books and still know what's going on. Ms. Penney does a wonderful job of weaving a Gothic mystery story into her writing. This was a hard book to put down! 

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy of this book.

Book Review: Birder, She Wrote

 

Title: Birder, She Wrote

Author: Donna Andrews

As always, Ms. Andrews does not disappoint! Meg Langslow is a sleuth who always finds herself embroiled in an exciting mystery!

Meg is hoping for a relaxing time sitting in her hammock, watching the hummingbirds. However, very quickly, this quiet time disappears. Her grandmother, Cordelia, is being interviewed by a reporter for a magazine, but Meg senses something else is going on with this situation. On the same day, she needs to help her dad and brother with a beehive, trek into the words to help Deacon Washington with finding an old African American cemetery, and she finds a dead body!

The story moves at a fast pace, complete with additional family and friends stepping in to assist, a multitude of Pomeranians and other dogs, as well as more bees. Ms. Andrews always does an excellent job at researching the birds and other animals in the story. While you can read this as a stand-alone novel, I recommend checking out the other books in the series, as Meg and her family always promise an enjoyable time.

I received an ARC of this book from St. Martin's Press, Minotaur, and Netgalley. I also bought the book for my own library as well.

Book Review: Case of the Bleus (Cheese Shop Mystery, #4)

 Book Review: Case of the Bleus (Cheese Shop Mystery, #4)

Title: Case of the Bleus (Cheese Shop Mystery, #4)

Author: Korina Moss

Willa Bauer is catching up with some old colleagues, as well as mourning the loss of her prior employer at a cheese event in her small town. Max Dumas was not only her boss, but he was also the one who trained her in the art of cheesemongering and supported her when she started her own business. He was famous for his secret bleu cheese recipe, one that was thought to have died with him. However, now everyone is in town awaiting the results of his will, including his estranged daughter he recently had reconnected with.

When one of Willa's former colleagues is murdered, Willa and her group of friends (Team Cheese, as they call themselves) gather to solve the crime. 

Overall, the mystery was good. The author keeps you guessing until the end on who the actual killer is. 

Thank you to NetGalley, St Martin Press and Minotaur books for an advanced copy of this book.

Book Review: Inheritance

 

Title: Inheritance

Author: Nora Roberts  

This is the first book in the Lost Brides Trilogy. I have to say that it did not disappoint!

What would you do if you found out that a relative you didn't know existed had died and given you their manor? Sonya MacTavish is now in that situation. Her late father had a twin brother that he had been separated from at birth. When Collin Poole passed, he gave Sonya his manor provided she live there full-time. She packs up her belongings and moves to Maine. The giant, gothic manor immediately feels like home, but there is a catch. As items mysteriously move and cabinets door open on their own, Sonya realizes she is not alone. And at 3 a.m. every night, the tolling of the grandfather clock and the myterious weeping greet her.

Over time, with the help of her best friend, Cleo, and her romantic partner, Trey, the three of them explore what's happening. There is an evil that lives in the house with Sonya and the friendly familiar ghosts. The cliffhanger at the end makes me wish the second novel was already out! This is definitely a series that I will recommend and purchase the book for my own library.

I received an advanced reader copy of Inheritance from Netgalley and St. Martin's Press.

Book Review: Nine Lives and Alibis: A Cat Cafe Mystery

 

Title: Nine Lives and Alibis

Author: Cate Conte

Genre: Cozy Mystery, Mystery

This was the first book I've read in the Cat Cafe Mystery series. It was a little confusing at first with all the characters, but I quickly caught on. Maddie James owns a cat cafe and is helping with a huge Halloween event for her town. The psychic they've hired is mysteriously killed after he gives the impression he could help solve a decades old murder. With the list of suspects long and Halloween approaching, it's up to Maddie to solve the crime!

This cozy mystery is a great read for lovers of cats, mysteries, and Halloween! I definitly plan to check out the other books in this series as Maddie (and JJ, her cat) are great fun!

I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.

Book Review: Cozy Case Files, Volume 18

 

This great selection of cozy mystery intros was fantastic! I admit there were a couple of authors I am devout fans of (Donna Andrews and Carolyn Haines), but this allowed me to access some authors I had not read before.

I thought the selections were great as they gave the reader an introduction to the characters, as well as an enticing sample of what was to come in each book. Each ended on just enough of a cliffhanger that I anxiously searched to purchase or pre-order the full novel.

I highly recommend checking out this book to introduce yourself to some new authors and cozy mystery stories!

I received a digital version of this book from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press.