#BookReview ~ Brush Up On Murder: An Aurora Anderson Mystery, Book 6 by Sybil Johnson ~ #CozyMystery @SybilJohnson19

 Brush Up On Murder: An Aurora Anderson Mystery by Sybil Johnson

Cozy Mystery

6th in Series

Setting: California

Vista Beach Press (October 10, 2023)

Print length: ‎ 284 pages

ASIN: ‎ B0CFSZGMD8 

About Brush Up On Murder: 

Love is in the air in the quiet Los Angeles County city of Vista Beach, home of computer programmer and decorative-painting enthusiast, Aurora (Rory) Anderson.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, residents are training for the annual Love Run and expressing their undying affection for each other by attaching love locks to the pier railings. But a string of bank robberies is ruining the romantic vibe.

While Rory helps friends prepare for a Valentine’s Day wedding, a body is found and the groom is implicated in the murder. Convinced of his innocence, Rory puts her heart into the investigation. Can she identify the killer before someone else encounters their own brush with death?

My Review:

Brush Up On Murder is another wonderful book in the Aurora Anderson Mystery series. I'm so happy to be visiting Vista Beach, California again. Rory, Liz, Martin, and Rory's parents are back in a wonderful story involving a soon-to-be married couple, a bank robber, a suspicious death, and love locks attached to a pier. 

Valentine's Day is supposed to be full of romance and love. In fact, Rory is helping with wedding plans for a couple of her friends. All is going well until a body is discovered during the Love Run. With a string of bank robberies and a suspicious death rocking the community of Vista Beach, it's hard to feel romantic. When the groom is considered a suspect, Rory knows she has to put the pieces of this mystery together to solve the murder.

Rory is a great character. She's compassionate, and determined to figure out who committed murder in their small town. There are several storylines in Brush Up On Murder that are seemingly distinct, however, the author takes each thread and magically weaves them together.

Brush Up On Murder is engaging, flows well, and the keeps the reader on their toes. The red herrings tossed along the way keep the reader guessing. The story was quick and easy to read. I loved the dialogue between the characters,. The conversations were fluid and conversational. The author does a great job creating a world that grabs the reader and pulls them in, keeping them engaged from start to finish. The characters are vibrant and exciting. I really enjoyed Brush Up On Murder.

I was provided a copy of this book.

Originally reviewed on Sapphyria's Books.

My Rating:

Visit the Author:

Website: www.authorsybiljohnson.com

Purchase Link:

Amazon 

This post contains affiliate links.

If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.

Thank you for supporting Sapphyria’s Books.

#BookReview ~ The Plot Is Murder (Mystery Bookshop, Book 1) by V.M. Burns ~ #CozyMystery ~ @vmburns

Book Details:

Print Length: 256 pages

Publisher: Kensington Books

Publication Date: November 28, 2017

ASIN: B06XFBYLHC

Purchase Your Copy:

Amazon

About the Book:

The small town of North Harbor on the shores of Lake Michigan is about to have a new mystery bookstore. But before the first customer can browse its shelves, the store’s owner is suspected of her own murder plot . . . 

Samantha Washington has dreamed of owning her own mystery bookstore for as long as she can remember. And as she prepares for the store’s grand opening, she’s also realizing another dream—penning a cozy mystery set in England between the wars. While Samantha hires employees and fills the shelves with the latest mysteries, quick-witted Lady Penelope Marsh, long-overshadowed by her beautiful sister Daphne, refuses to lose the besotted Victor Carlston to her sibling's charms. When one of Daphne's suitors is murdered in a maze, Penelope steps in to solve the labyrinthine puzzle and win Victor.

But as Samantha indulges her imagination, the unimaginable happens in real life. A shady realtor turns up dead in her backyard, and the police suspect her—after all, the owner of a mystery bookstore might know a thing or two about murder. Aided by her feisty grandmother and an enthusiastic ensemble of colorful retirees, Samantha is determined to close the case before she opens her store. But will she live to conclude her own story when the killer has a revised ending in mind for her?

My Review:

The Plot Is Murder by V.M. Burns
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Plot is Murder is a great start to V.M. Burns’ new Michigan-based cozy mystery series. As a Michigander, I love reading books set in my home state.

The setting involves Samantha, a recent widow, fulfilling her dream of owning her own bookshop. She packs up, sells the house she shared with her late husband, and starts anew in North Harbor, Michigan. As Samantha gets settled and begins penning her own novel, life take a nasty turn. A sketchy realtor is found dead shortly after his desperate attempt to talk to Samantha, and the worst part? He was found in the backyard of the shop. Now, Samantha must continue to move forward with the bookshop, stay on track with her novel, and clear her name.

I enjoyed the book’s mystery within a mystery as Samantha writes a fiction novel we get passages from, while being the protagonist dealing with her own mystery in The Plot is Murder. The dual mystery solving kept me engaged throughout the stories. The character development, those within the main story and those within Samantha’s story, is done well. Samantha’s character is down-to-earth with realistic bouts of sadness as she’s still mourning the loss of her husband. The world constructed by the author allowed me to envision the stories in my mind.

I look forward to the next Mystery Bookshop book.

I was provided a paperback book to read.

Review previously posted on Sapphyria's Books.

View all my reviews

Book Review: Cat Got Your Secrets: A Kitty Couture Mystery, Book 3 by Julie Chase

Cat Got Your Secrets by Julie Chase

A Kitty Couture Mystery, Book 3

Cozy Mystery 

Crooked Lane Books 

September 12, 2017

Hardcover: 320 pages 

ISBN-13: 978-1683312833 

E-Book ASIN: B06XVWR8Q9

About the Book:

Lacy Marie Crocker has settled into a comfortable groove back home in New Orleans, and with Valentine’s Day right around the corner, she’s busier than ever running a thriving pet boutique, helping her mother organize the upcoming National Pet Pageant, and untangling her complicated love life. But when delivering a king-sized order of dreidel-shaped doggy biscuits for a Saint Berdoodle’s bark-mitzvah, Lacy stumbles into yet another murder scene—and the last person to see the victim alive was her own father.

It’s up to Lacy to clear her dad’s name from the suspect list before Detective Jack Oliver has to cage him for good. But just when she starts pawing at the truth, she receives a threatening letter from a mysterious blackmailer bent on silencing her with her own secrets. And Lacy’s not the only one with bones in her closet.

My Review:

I'm going to start right out and let you all know that the Kitty Couture Mysteries Series is one of my favorite cozy mystery series' ever.  I love the author's writing style, the conversational tone with which she writes each book, and the her characters are a hoot.  

Upon delivery of a pet treat order, she finds out that the owner of the location of the delivery was found dead that morning; locked in a freezer.  Unfortunately, the last person to see the man alive is Lacy's veterinarian father, putting law enforcement's sights set on him.  Lacy knows she cannot just sit idly by even though Detective Jack Oliver is on the case.  He's extremely capable but this is Lacy's father.  She does some pretty dumb things in the book but I can't say I wouldn't do everything I could to help out my father if something like this happened.  

Cat Got Your Secrets is full of twists and turns as the author takes the reader on an adventure that opens up cans of worms in the lives of some of the more affluent members in the Garden District.  I love the background story of Lacy becoming more involved in society related events at the request (or demand) of her mother.  While, Lacy is from an affluent family in the New Orleans Garden District, she doesn't act like it. She is very down-to-earth and her character has been written wonderfully. She has the opportunity to never want for anything but she wants to make her own way in the world. Instead of falling back on family money, she worked hard to get through college and start her own business - a pet boutique. 

Oh, Detective Jack Oliver....be still thy fluttering heart. His character in this series is a fresh take on cozy mystery heroes. Sure, he's the standard potential love interest police officer but he's so much more. His banter with Lacy had me rooting for them through the entire book. The chemistry is spot on and can be felt by the reader.  His character has depth and emotion and he's oh, so patient with Lacy and her antics while trying to "help" solve crime.

Jack Oliver isn't the only potential love interest in Cat Got Your Secrets. Her friend Scarlet's brother-in-law, Chase Hawthorne, is back in town and has set his sights on Lacy. I still don't feel their chemistry like I do when Jack enters the picture. There's nothing particularly wrong with Chase but I just don't feel any of the right vibes when he's with Lacy. The sizzle and tension are non-existent; I actually get more of a brother-sister vibe from them (except when Chase mentions things about kissing Lacy). I'm giddy with delight at how things progress with the love interests though and can't wait for the next book.

I am still very impressed by the way the author was able to keep suspicion off of the true killer. I was none the wiser until the big reveal and didn't suspect a thing. The path to solving the murder was paved with several potential candidates that had means and motive. Bravo, Julie Chase, bravo!!

This was previously reviewed on Sapphyria's Books.

I was provided with a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

My Rating:

Visit the Author's website;

Purchase Link: 

Amazon

This post contains affiliate links.

If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.

Thank you for supporting Sapphyria’s Books.

#BookReview ~ New Year Nuisance (Holiday Cozy Mystery Book 4) by Tonya Kappes #CozyMystery #TonyaKappes

 

ASIN: ‎ B0BDXS2GJV
Publisher: ‎ Tonya Kappes Books (January 26, 2023)
Publication Date: ‎ January 26, 2023
Print Length: ‎ 196 pages

Amazon

Goodreads

About the Book:

CELEBRATE GOOD CRIMES!

New Year's Eve has always been a special time for the small town, Holiday Junction, with its annual tradition, the Sparkle Ball, along with the town Merry Maker spreading joy and cheer to all its residents. But this year, the joy is short-lived when local nuisance and troublemaker, Hillary Stevens, is found murdered in holiday town’s mini-village.

As the town's resident nosy journalist, Violet Rhinehammer is determined to uncover the truth behind Hillary’s murder and bring the killer to justice. But her investigation is complicated by her own secret - she is the town Merry Maker, and must keep her identity hidden from Mae West, her best friend who is visiting for the festive town’s Sparkle Ball.

With suspects at every turn and a town full of secrets, Violet must use her keen investigative skills and determination to uncover the truth before the killer strikes again. Will she be able to solve the mystery and bring the killer to justice, or will her own secret be her downfall?

New Year Nuisance is a gripping tale of mystery and intrigue, perfect for fans of small town crime novels. With well-developed characters and a twisting plot, this book will keep you guessing until the very end.

My Review:

New Year Nuisance is the fourth book in the Holiday Cozy Mystery series, a spin-off of the Camper and Criminals series. The spin-off is headlined by Normal's ace reporter Violet Rhinehammer. She exits Normal to move onto greener pastures and finds herself in a different small town. Book four finds the town of Holiday Junction preparing for their New Year's celebrations. As Violet continues to keep Junction Journal afloat and tend to her civic duties, a local is found dead in the mini-village. Now Violet, and a special guest are on the case.

I love it when Tonya Kappes unites, or in this case reunites, characters from a different series.  Having Mae visit Violet in Holiday Junction was a fantastic blending that I hope we see more of in the Holiday Cozy Mystery series. Violet and Mae really had to put their heads together on this one. 

New Year Nuisance is a fun and quick read. I enjoyed Violet and Mae together in this book. My love for Violet's character continues to grow as the series progresses. I love continuing to get to know everyone in Holiday Junction. We get to meet a lot of interesting people and learn how important holidays are in this town. The mystery was well thought out and I didn’t have a clue who the murderer was or why until the author reveals everything. I was shocked. Definitely looking forward to the next book.

I was provided with a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Review previously posted on Sapphyria's Books.

My Rating:

This post contains affiliate links.

If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.

Thank you for supporting Sapphyria’s Books.

#BookReview ~ In the Wick of Time (Magic Candle Shop Mystery) by Valona Jones ~ #CozyMystery ~ Paranormal Cozy Mystery

In the Wick of Time (Magic Candle Shop Mystery) by Valona Jones

About In The Wick Of Time:

 

In the Wick of Time (Magic Candle Shop Mystery)

Paranormal Cozy Mystery

2nd in Series

Setting: Savannah, Georgia

Crooked Lane Books (October 17, 2023)

Hardcover: ‎288 pages

ISBN-10: 1639105077

ISBN-13: 978-1639105076

Digital ASIN: ‎B0BSKWTKZN

Amazon

Tabby Winslow will help her twin sister Sage with anything and everything—and that includes putting out the flames of suspicion when Sage’s boss is found murdered in this magical mystery, perfect for fans of Amanda Flower and Sofie Kelly.

December in Savannah, Georgia, is a sight to behold. With all the festivities—including the traditional riverfront luminary display during the boat parade—twin sisters Tabby and Sage Winslow are busier than ever setting up for the big celebration. But that isn’t the only thing on the sisters’ minds. Both Sage and her fellow employee Mary Nicole are vying for the sought-after assistant manager job at the plant nursery. But when Loren Lee, their boss, is found dead, and Sage becomes the police’s favorite suspect, both Winslow girls know that they’ll need more than a flicker of magic and their sisterhood to solve the murder and clear Sage’s name.

Soon, Tabby realizes that this is just one of the many problems they have. If being a suspect for murder wasn’t enough, there are more magical problems that they have to fix: Sage’s boyfriend is having a paranormal experience of his own he can’t control, there’s an energy vampire searching for his supposedly lost cousin, her cat suddenly dislikes her, and oh—every time Tabby hiccups, she turns completely invisible. The suspect list grows with each day and it seems everyone has a reason or a connection to Loren Lee.

Tabby and Sage are burning the candle at both ends—but will it be enough to keep their friends safe and find this killer? Or will they be burned by their efforts?

My Review: 

In the Wick of Time is the second book in the cozy mystery series, Magic Candle Shop Mysteries. Sage and Tabby Winslow are twins who co-own The Book and Candle Shop. They are exact opposites, which tends to happen with siblings, twins or not. 

Sage also works for All Good Things Nursery. When her boss is found dead, Sage becomes suspect number one. Tabby and Sage start digging into the case because they know Sage didn't commit the crime.

I enjoyed both Tabby and Sage, along with the rest of the characters. The story was enjoyable, and both the cover and the blurb brought me onboard. The story, fun characters, and mystery kept me engaged. The murder mystery was twisted, well-thought out, and complex.

I was provided with a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Review previously posted on Sapphyria's Books.

This post contains affiliate links.

If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.

Thank you for supporting Reviews by Saph.

#BookReview ~ Witch's Tail by Melanie Snow #Paranormal #CozyMystery ~ The Spellwood Witches, Book One

Her mentor died fighting to save an enchanted forest.

Can she solve his murder before she’s bewitched?

Witch’s Tail

The Spellwood Witches

Book One

Melanie Snow

Genre: Paranormal Cozy Mystery

Publisher: Spirit Paw Press, LLC

Date of Publication: September 8, 2020

ISBN: 978-1-7324375-6-2

Number of pages: 220

Word Count: 46,311

Cover Artist: Molly Burton

Amazon

About the Book:

Can she awaken her dormant powers and stop a desperate killer destroying the forest?

Sarah Spellwood feels she’s hit bottom. Divorced and jobless, she relocates to the enchanting village of Witchland intent on solving the murder of her late mentor. But as she pursues clues buried in the man’s fight to save the endangered forest-dwelling lynx, she makes an enemy of a ruthless land developer.

Encountering fairies in the woods, Sarah discovers she’s been repressing unique gifts passed down from her ancestor and founding witch, Lativia Spellwood. But though she can now hear her deceased friend’s dog speak, she isn’t sure her abilities are enough to expose the greed and corruption covering a killer’s lies.

Can Sarah work with the magical beings to bring a murderer to justice?

Witch’s Tail is the charming first book in the light-hearted The Spellwood Witches cozy mystery series. If you like paranormal puzzles, delightful canine companions, and environmental enlightenment, then you’ll love Melaine Snow’s wagging-ly fun whodunit.

Buy Witch’s Tail to set a snare for an assassin today!

My Review:

Sarah is a descendant of Lativia Spellwood, founder of Witchland. After Sarah's life falls apart in New York she finds herself back in Witchland, New Hampshire. She's taking over the law business of her mentor, whose death occurred under mysterious circumstances. As she settles in, she also tries to figure out the death, while fighting with a land developer bent on destroying the magical forest surrounding Witchland.

Witch's Tail is a cute, witchy cozy mystery. I loved the characters and Sarah's determination to find out how her mentor died. Her ancestry may include witches, but Sarah was not prepared for fairies, talking dogs, or the awakening of her magical gifts. She took everything in stride, even though there was a bit of disbelief.

Sarah is a strong character. She takes her responsibilities as a lawyer seriously and puts her training to good use. Following in her mentor's footsteps, she goes toe-to-toe with an unscrupulous land developer. She perseveres but not without difficulties. As she tries to uncover what really happened to her mentor, Sarah also faces a barrage of attacks from an unknown assailant. I enjoyed the pacing of the book and the author's storytelling.

I was provided with a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Review previously posted on Sapphyria's Books.

My Rating:

This post contains affiliate links.

If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.

Thank you for supporting Reviews by Saph.

#BookReview ~ Costumes & Cadavers: Sassy Supplies Cozy Mystery by Katherine H. Brown ~ #CozyMystery

Costumes & Cadavers: Sassy Supplies Cozy Mystery by Katherine H. Brown

 

Costumes & Cadavers: Sassy Supplies Cozy Mystery

Cozy Mystery

1st in Series

Independently Published (January 17, 2022)

Print Length: ‎ 36 pages

Digital ASIN: ‎ B09QMRXW4T

Amazon

 

About Costumes & Cadavers:

Nobody ever plans to be the death of the party. 

Party guests congratulate Charity Basham, owner of Sassy Supplies Crafts & More, on the scariness of her backyard skeleton decoration. Unfortunately, Charity didn't put out any skeleton decorations. 

With the discovery of a dead body, her Halloween party turns into a nightmare. With her fingerprints (and some white cat fur) are all over the murder weapon, Charity finds herself at the top of the suspect list. 

Can she clear her name before the dishy Detective Sota arrests her for murder?

My Review:

Costumes and Cadavers is a short cozy mystery story. The book wastes no time setting up a murder mystery. Sassy Supplies Crafts & More shop owner Charity Basham is hosting a Halloween party. The discovery of a dead body in her garden puts a damper on the festivities.

This short story is enjoyable and is a very quick read. Costumes & Cadavers is a fast-paced murder mystery. I was engaged in the captivating story, characters, and mystery. If you've got a few minutes, grab Costumes & Cadavers for a hauntingly good time.

I was provided with a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Review previously posted on Saph's Cozy Corner.

My Rating:

This post contains affiliate links.

If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.

Thank you for supporting Reviews by Saph.