Cozy Mystery Review ~ A Side of Murder (Cape Cod Foodie Mystery #1) by Amy Pershing @BerkleyMystery @BerkleyPub

 

A food writer must investigate the death of an old enemy in this witty and exciting new cozy mystery series set in beautiful Cape Cod, Massachusetts, known for seafood, sand, surf, and, now...murder.

Samantha Barnes was always a foodie. So when the CIA (that’s the Culinary Institute of America) came calling, she happily traded in Cape Cod for the Big Apple. Soon the young chef is a rising star in the city’s food scene—until a feud with another chef (her ex) boils over and goes viral. So when Sam inherits her Great-Aunt Ida’s house on the Cape and lands a job writing restaurant reviews, it seems like the perfect pairing. What could go wrong? Well, as it turns out, a lot.

The dilapidated house comes with an enormous puppy. Her new boss is, well, bossy. And the town’s new harbormaster is none other than her first love. Nonetheless, Sam’s looking forward to testing her inner food critic at the Bayview Grille—and indeed the seafood chowder is divine. But the body floating in the pond outside the eatery was not on the menu. Though the drowning is called an accident, Sam is certain it's murder. And as she begins to stir the pot, it becomes terrifyingly clear that she may be writing the recipe for her own untimely demise.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3EFOpxy

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53289229-a-side-of-murder

Visit the Author's Website: https://amypershingauthor.com/

ASIN: ‎ B087PL9HHF
Publisher: ‎ Berkley
Publication Date: ‎ February 23, 2021
Print Length: ‎ 319 pages

My Review and Rating:

A Side of Murder by Amy Pershing
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After her time in the Big Apple comes to a crashing and burning end, Samantha Barnes finds her way back to Fair Harbor, Massachusetts. She inherits her great aunt's house on the Cape, and this is her chance to start over. Life on the Cape doesn't begin exactly how she'd imagined it would when she discovers the house is a hot mess, her new job has some quirks, she's apparently also inherited a dog, and the harbormaster is a guy from her past.

The ultimate downer though, is the body she finds floating in the water outside of a restaurant she'd been critiquing. A sleuth Samantha is not but she gives it a go when she's certain the drowning was not accidental. As she searches for clues, Samantha unearths a lot more than she expected. she uncovers secrets, blackmail, and lies running rampant through town.

A Side of Murder is a delightful first book in the Cape Cod Foodie series by Amy Pershing. The author did a wonderful job establishing the setting of this cozy mystery. Her world-building was complex but easily envisioned as the reader goes on this journey with Samantha. The descriptions are captivating, and really wanted to vacation in Cape Cod after finishing the book.

There are sparks between Sam and Jason. I'm going to love watching them dance around each other until the author finds the right time to bring them together. All the characters are enjoyable, and I loved Sam's neighbor, Helene. The name of Sam's inherited puppy is cute, too. Diogi (D O G) is precious, and I love it.

The mystery is solid and mildly complex. The author throws in a few potential suspects, some twists and turns, and red herrings. Sam's amateur sleuthing debut is a hit and I enjoyed her every bit of the way through the mystery. The author did a great job writing a cozy mystery that will pull the reader in and keep them engaged throughout the entire book. I look forward to reading the next book.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.  

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Cozy Mystery Book Review ~ Bear a Wee Grudge (A Shamelessly Adorable Teddy Bear Mystery, Book 5) by Meg Macy @megmims

Bear a Wee Grudge (A Shamelessly Adorable Teddy Bear Mystery)

Cozy Mystery

5th in Series

Publisher: ‎ Kensington (November 30, 2021)

Paperback: ‎ 304 pages

ISBN-10: ‎ 149672917X

ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1496729170 Kindle

 ASIN: ‎ B08Y69JKKM

Amazon:  https://amzn.to/3HkXXQ5

Teddy bear shop manager Sasha Silverman must step fast to find a murderer before an upcoming Scottish festival . . . 

It’s springtime in Silver Hollow, Michigan, and Sasha is looking forward to the village’s inaugural Highland Fling weekend. Plans are underway for a Kilted 5K, athletic competitions, dancing, live music, and even a Hurl-the-Haggis contest. Meanwhile, Sasha’s staff is busy crafting custom teddy bears in kilts for the Silver Bear Shop’s vendor booth. But trouble’s brewing behind the scenes, as the obnoxious Teddy Hartman, former owner of a rival teddy bear company, sows seeds of discord about town, targeting Sasha’s family and their business. 

Things go from plaid to worse when—just a week before the festival kicks-off—the disgruntled gossip is found murdered with an ax buried in his back. Sasha’s dad is arrested, since he’s a champion ax-thrower. But she doesn’t give a dram what it looks like—Sasha knows that despite the old business rivalry with Hartman, her father is innocent. So with a spot of help from her friends, Sasha must bag the real killer before her first Fling also becomes her last. 

My Review and Rating:

Bear a Wee Grudge by Meg Macy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Trouble has found its way back to Silver Hollow, Michigan in the form of Teddy and Lisa Hartman. Spreading lies, perpetuating distrust between citizens, instigating arguments, and tossing around wild accusations is Teddy's MO. Unfortunately, Sasha and her family are continuously on the receiving end of everything that spews forth from Teddy's mouth. Bear a Wee Grudge is quite intense straight out of the gate and I enjoyed every single bit of the book.

A clever who-done-it, Bear a Wee Grudge kept me entertained and engaged in the story. Meg Macy delivered a well-written story with a unique setting in a fictional small town in southeast Michigan. As a lifelong Michigander I enjoy a good story, in any genre, that is based in my state. I always love it when I recognize locations in a book because I've been there, lived there, or worked in the town/city.

I enjoyed the personalities of each character in the book. The book was descriptive well developed, allowing me to visualize the elements of the story, characters, and locations. The characters and situations were believable and the pacing of the story was steady. I enjoyed Bear a Wee Grudge, found the mystery interesting, the characters likable, and the story's pacing to be on target. I love the Shamelessly Adorable Teddy Bear Mystery series by Meg Macy and I look forward to the next book.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.  

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Saph's Cozy Corner has been nominated in the Critters Writers Workshop Readers Poll ~ Review Site category

 

Hi Everyone!

Saph's Cozy Corner has been nominated in the Critters Writers Workshop Readers Poll ~ Review Site category. 

Head on over to Critters Writers Workshop Readers Poll ~  Review Site (click this link).

Scroll down and locate Saph's Cozy Corner then click the bottom to the left of the name. You will be required to enter your name and email address to validate the vote. Your information will be kept strictly confidential and Critters indicates you will not be added to any mailing lists.

Thank you, in advance, for considering a vote for Saph's Cozy Corner!

Release Week Review ~ Spoonful of Murder (Killer Coffee, Book #10) by Tonya Kappes #TonyaKappes #CozyMystery

 

Welcome to the Bean Hive Coffeehouse where the coffee and gossip are HOT!

Sure, Honey Springs, Kentucky is a destination for summer time visitors but our annual Christmas Festival, which includes a PAW-rade (mmhmmm for furry friends) is giving the summer tourist season a run for its money quickly becoming a tourist favorite!

Aunt Maxi is hosting a progressive supper for the community to raise funds for Pet Palace, our local SPCA. You'd think it would be GREAT for the tourists and it is but when Aunt Maxi literally has a hissy fit with a tail on it after she finds out Loretta Bebe's involvement...things turn south.

A dead body appears during the appetizers, Aunt Maxi and Loretta are suspects, and it's all she wrote from there.

Lordy bee...let's hope this things wrapped up in a nice little package with a bow on top so Santa doesn't have to make a stop at the local jail!

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09MC8986F

Publisher: ‎ Tonya Kappes Books

Publication Date: ‎ December 23, 2021

Print Length: ‎ 186 pages

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Ep5bAA

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54104971-spoonful-of-murder

My Review:

Spoonful of Murder is a mystery that pulls you in and keeps you engaged. I found myself guessing at who the murderer was all the way until the end. In this book, there aren’t a lot of suspects but enough to keep the reader involved in the attempt to figure it out. The police focus mainly on Aunt Maxi, but we all know she isn’t the one who committed the crime.

I enjoyed all the characters and the amount of humor added to the mix. The world building had me feeling like I was right in the middle of Honey Springs. I was able to visualize the town, the activities, the people, and feel the emotions.

Spoonful of Murder is a fun book with several storylines, and a pesky ex-husband, to keep the reader engaged and entertained. The inclusion of Roxi’s ex-husband, Kirk, was an added twist that proves to be most useful. The author does a great job adding Kirk into the mix. The only issue for me was the reveal of the murderer and the motive. The scene seemed a bit rushed but, as always, that's just my opinion. The rushed reveal didn't take away from the story though. I enjoyed Spoonful of Murder.

As a reader who hasn’t read books 1-8, I don’t feel like starting the series late has been an issue. The author does a wonderful job with character development, world building, and explaining events and people to the reader. I’m not lost in details I don’t understand. There aren’t unexplained situations that keep me from enjoying this series partway through. I will eventually start the series from the beginning.

I was provided a copy of the book to read.

My Rating:

Book Review ~ Eyelet Witness (Bonnie & Clyde Mysteries #4) by Julie Anne Lindsey @JulieALindsey #CozyMystery

 

Bonnie and Clyde play chicken with a killer in their zaniest adventure yet!

Bonnie Balfour is busy tuning shabby into chic after a local entrepreneur asks for help decorating a soufflé-stand startup on a shoestring budget. The client’s budding egg enterprise and blue-ribbon hen, Thelma, are sure to boost revenue to the new business, especially with Bonnie’s customizing touch on the design.

Unfortunately, feathers begin to fly when the client’s ex-boyfriend launches a dispute over Thelma’s legal custody, only hours before the hen goes missing. And Detective Wright suspects fowl play when the ex’s body turns up in a local lake before sundown.

Now Bonnie and Clyde are pecking on doors and scratching for clues to prove their friend’s innocence, but a series of anonymous attacks threaten to scramble the newly hatched plan. Can Bonnie and Clyde crack the case in time? Or is this sleuthing duo finally out of cluck?

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3e7AMfz
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58944120-eyelet-witness

ASIN: ‎ B09DYW465L
Publisher: ‎ Cozy Queen Publishing LLC
Publication Date: ‎ December 15, 2021
Print Length: ‎ 208 pages

My Review:

Eyelet Witness is the fourth book in Julie Anne Lindsey's Bonnie and Clyde Mysteries series. Bonnie's resales shop, Bless Her Heart is flourishing. She's making new friends, even though they may live in a rival city. When Louisa visits the shop for some dresses, she's served paperwork that indicate she's being sued for custody of her prized hen, Thelma. Apparently Louisa's ex-boyfriend had plans for the chicken that Louisa opted not to pursue. 

Later, Thelma goes missing from Louisa's home. As the entire town of Meadowbrook looks for Thelma, a body is discovered in a local body of water. The body happens to be Louisa's ex and she becomes the prime suspect. What ensues are several twists and turns, surprise revelations, and secrets that are revealed. Bonnie does her best to help her friend, follow clues, and stay out of the crosshairs of a killer.

I loved Eyelet Witness. The characters, setting, and plot are engaging. The murder isn’t the only theme in the book, giving the book a lot of realism. The book is also full of excellent imagery, character development, and a great story. Bonnie, Clyde, Mason, Gigi, Louisa, and Thelma are fun characters. I enjoyed the chicken caper, murder mystery, and learning about the lifestyles in the adjacent town.

The author's writing style is fluid, and the pacing is perfect. The story is so easy to read that when I reached the end, I couldn’t believe I was done already. I found myself engaged and completely captivated in the story from the very beginning. I really enjoyed Eyelet Witness and can't wait for the next book.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

My Rating:

Cozy Mystery Review ~ Murder by Page One (Peach Coast Mystery, Book #1) by Olivia Matthews @HallmarkPublish

Marvey’s a librarian from Brooklyn who makes book-themed jewelry as a hobby, looks after her cranky cat, and supports events for readers and authors. She’s still adjusting to quirky small-town life in Georgia - and that’s before she discovers a dead body in a bookstore.

When her new best friend becomes a suspect, Marvey develops a new hobby: solving a murder mystery. With her talents for research, her knowledge gleaned from crime novels, and a whole lot of determination, she pursues the truth. But as she gets closer to it, could she be facing a deadly plot twist?

This first-in-series cozy mystery includes a free Hallmark original recipe.

Amazon https://amzn.to/3gK5f4q
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55104757-murder-by-page-one

Book Details:

ASIN: ‎ B08KHPBDBS
Publisher: ‎ Hallmark Publishing
Publication Date: ‎ March 23, 2021
Print Length: ‎ 228 pages

My Review:

Marvella Harris, or Marvey, is a southern transplant from New York. She's the new Director of Community Engagement at the library. Her hobbies include book-themed jewelry and bowing to her cat's every whim. She has two good friends, Jolene Gomez and Spencer Holt. Jolene owns To Be Read, the local bookstore. When Marvey finds a body in Jolene's place of business and Jolene is the prime suspect, Marvey adds another hobby to her list.

I really enjoyed this first in a new series cozy mystery. The book had a well-thought out plot, interesting characters, and was engaging. I was pulled in from the first time I read about the book. The book is full of character development and I fell like I knew each person and would be right at home in Peach Coast, Georgia. 

The author really set the stage for a spectacular new cozy mystery series.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

My Rating:

Book Review ~ Fixin' To Die (Kenni Lowry #1) by Tonya Kappes #CozyMystery #TonyaKappes

 

Fixin' to Die by Tonya Kappes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fixin’ to Die is the first book in the Kenni Lowry series by Tonya Kappes. Kenni is the new sheriff in town, having been sworn in to replace her late grandfather. The death of the beloved local doctor has the town of Cottonwood, Kentucky in an uproar and Kenni on the case. A subsequent robbery in town has Kenni and the residents on edge. The discovery of a symbol at the scenes of each crime, tying the crimes together, boggles Kenni’s mind. It’s a good thing Kenni has the ghost of her grandfather on-hand to assist her.

I really enjoyed Fixin’ to Die. I’m a fan of books with supernatural elements and having Poppa’s ghost help Kenni was fun but emotional. Having her grandfather back in her life must have been exciting and wonderful but not being able to hug him must have been torture. Poppa proves to be quite the little assistant to Kenni, however, as she investigated and attempted to analyze the clues and piece everything together.

A lot of world building and character development occurs in Fixin’ to Die. As the first book in the series, this is expected. Ghosts pop out of nowhere, officers are dispatched to the town, the first murder and robbery to occur in a long while both happen on the same day, and little sparks of romance flicker their way into the story. Enjoyable and interesting, this cozy mystery pulled me in and kept me engaged.

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Amazon:  https://amzn.to/2ZyRIrI

Book Review ~ Santa, Sunrises, & Suspicions (Camper & Criminals #23) by Tonya Kappes #CozyMystery #TonyaKappes

 

Santa, Sunrises, & Suspicions by Tonya Kappes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Santa, Sunrises, & Suspicions is book 23 in the Camper & Criminals series by Tonya Kappes. When the local gossiper/tall-tale teller is found dead in the Christmas play area of the local church, Mae gets swept into another mystery. She, Hank, and the Laundry Club ladies shift into sleuthing gear to find the murderer so Christmas in Normal is red and green, instead of black.

Santa, Sunrises, & Suspicions is another great book in the Campers & Criminals series. The mystery is exciting, intriguing, and kept me guessing. The author introduced many suspects in this book. It was hard not to see how the entire town would be suspected since Neva stepped on many toes, ruined, or attempted to ruin lives, and just plain gossiped and lied about everything. The reader is provided means, motive, and opportunities for each named suspect.

There were twists and turns throughout the book that had me going in one direction only to have the mystery shift. The author did a great job building up the suspense until the reveal of the murderer and motive. As Mae unravels the murder, additional events are revealed, suspects are added and removed from the list, and danger abounds.

As with the rest of the books in the series, the mystery isn't the only thing going on in Normal, Kentucky. Tonya Kappes did a terrific job of weaving everything together between Hank and Mae’s relationship, the murder, and the side stories. The characters are wonderfully crafted, realistically written, and I feel like I'm coming home to Normal with every book in the series I am fortunate enough to read.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

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Amazon https://amzn.to/2ZCseKa

Book #Review ~ Beating the Wrap (Bonnie & Clyde Mysteries #3) by Julie Anne Lindsey @JulieALindsey ~ #CozyMystery

 

Beating the Wrap by Julie Anne Lindsey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It’s Fall in Georgia and people are gearing up for Thanksgiving. The town of Bliss is holding a window decorating contest for the business owners. Part of Bonnie’s design is a Gift of Gratitude display, where passersby can leave messages of good tidings anonymously. When Bonnie continues to receive messages of less-than-good tidings she’s intent on finding the perpetrator.

Bonnie able to pin down the naysayer as a new business owner. It seems Clyde is a bit of a klepto and continues to steal items from the new business. Instead of discussing his issues with Bonnie and Clyde face-to-face like a mature, rational human, he chooses to be passive-aggressive. When a heated exchange occurs, words spoken can never be taken back, leaving Bonnie feeling bad. Before she can make amends, however, the man is found dead.

All signs point to Bonnie, as their final exchange included some threats, on both their parts. That begins to change as incidents he had with other citizens begin to emerge. As Bonnie goes on the hunt for clues to his demise, the intensity of the situation escalates. It seems she’s now on the receiving end of some serious threats and attacks.

I loved Beating the Wrap. The characters, setting, and plot are engaging. The murder isn’t the only theme in the book, giving the book a lot of realism. The book is also full of excellent imagery, character development, and a great story. Bonnie and her parents, Clyde, Mason, and Gigi are fun characters and I love the secondaries, as well.

The author's writing style is fluid, and the pacing is perfect. The story is so easy to read that when I reached the end, I couldn’t believe I was done already. I found myself engaged and completely captivated in the story from the very beginning. I really enjoyed Beating the Wrap and can't wait for the next book.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

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Amazon: https://amzn.to/3cApT57

Book #Review ~ Southern Magical Bakery, Book 1 by Tonya Kappes #CozyMystery

 

Southern Magical Bakery by Tonya Kappes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Southern Magical Bakery is the first book in a new spin-off series from the A Magical Cures Mystery Series by Tonya Kappes. The book stars a grown up Lo Heal-Park who has a small issue. She lives in a magical town but isn’t herself magical. Always having felt like an outcast, Lo pleads with her parents, the town, and magical beings to be allowed to leave Whispering Falls and begin her new life with humans like her.

Lo’s new life in Celestial Falls is beginning to shape up when Oren follows her there. He’s a spiritualist but wants to be free like Lo. Together, they make a go at opening Lo’s bakery, Magical Desserts. All Lo’s hard earned plans may just end up in the trash, though, when there’s a murder in Celestial Falls and their one-track police officer points his finger at her.

Clearing her name is only part of what Lo needs to do to help secure her new life in Celestial Falls. She must prove to herself, her parents, Oren, and the Marys, that she can make it on her own. To prove, Lo doesn’t need magic to make her dreams come true.

Celestial Falls may not have any spiritualists, but the town has a rich history and some quirky characters. The single-minded police officer was kind of a drag, but it fit into the investigation of the murder. The story was interesting, kept me engaged, and well-paced. I enjoyed learning about Lo and Oren, along with the side characters.

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Grab Your Copy from Amazon https://amzn.to/3FwiZKP

Book #Review ~ Mistletoe Mojo by Erin Johnson #CozyMystery #ErinJohnson

Mistletoe Mojo by Erin Johnson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Welcome back to Holiday Haven. Rudie is getting married! She and Archer are tying the knot at the funeral home Rudie owns and operates with her sisters, Donna and Vix. As she’s planning the wedding, Rudie is also chairing a volunteer group, collecting money to aid the local orphanage. Just days before the wedding, while dropping of the orphanage donations, Rudy and several family members and friends, come across a murder scene.

Rudie is a fun, caring, and interesting character. She’s not perfect but continues to try and embrace who she is and her abilities. I love the relationship Rudie has with her sisters Donna and Vix. When Archer enters the scene, Rudie lights up and I enjoyed her interactions with him.

I really enjoyed this paranormal cozy mystery and found the setting and characters to be interesting and exciting. I was completely engaged in the story. There were some twists and turns in the quest to catch the killer. There are multiple threads woven through Mistletoe Mojo that keep the story fresh and interesting. The book was fast paced and easy to follow. I have yet to read an unlikable book by Erin Johnson. Her paranormal cozies are fun, include quirky but loveable characters, and an intriguing mystery.


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Amazon: https://amzn.to/3CdulBa

Cozy Mystery Book Review ~ Dead Man's Hand (Victoria Square Mystery, Book #8) by Lorraine Bartlett & Gayle Leeson @LorraineBartlet @GayleTrent

 

Katie’s been dealt the Dead Man’s Hand …

It’s all fun and games when Katie Bonner and her friends play poker for chocolate-covered peanuts, but the very next day Jamie Seifert collapses and dies after visiting Katie’s tearoom on Victoria Square.

Katie’s business in on the line and she needs to prove Jamie wasn’t poisoned at Tealicious. Her first order of business is to locate the mysterious woman he was dining with, and her next step is to go undercover at a nearby poker club where Jamie won big just a week before. It seems everyone there might have had a motive to rub Jamie out...and if they learn Katie has been lying to them, she might be next!

Amazon https://amzn.to/35AhTxL
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56220253-dead-man-s-hand

Book Details:

ASIN: ‎ B08NW5DJHW
Publisher: ‎ Polaris Press (February 5, 2021)
Publication Date: ‎ February 5, 2021
Print Length: ‎ 298 pages

My Review:

A death of a patron shortly after leaving Katie's teashop, Tealicious, is not good for business. The death of a friend is even worse than how it affects her shop. In order to salvage her teashop's reputation and prove her friend Jamie's death wasn't related to anything he ate or drank, Katie must put on her sleuthing cap and figure who wanted Jamie dead and why. This takes Katie and Ray into a poker den looking for clues.

Katie is a likable character. She is very invested in her town, her business adventures, and the people she loves. When her friends are in trouble she is the first to volunteer to help fix the problem. In most cases, Katie is a very strong character. She has proven she can manage businesses, be chair of the Merchant Association, and aid in murder investigations (even though the local police department wishes she would refrain on the aid part). She is also not flawless. Her imperfections make her human and relatable. I enjoy all of the secondary characters and the way the author portrays them. Each person is vital to Katie's successes, whether professionally or personally.

I purchased my review copy from Amazon.

My Rating:

Book #Review ~ Jackets, Jack-O-Lantern, & Justice (Camper & Criminals, Book #22) by Tonya Kappes #TonyaKappes @tonyakappes11

 

Let me be the first person to welcome you to Normal, Kentucky located in the heart of the Daniel Boone National Forest. I'm Mae West the owner of Happy Trails Campground.

Fall at the campground is my favorite time of the year. The bursts of orange, yellow, green, and red pop on the falling leaves, creating a colorful path along the trails for all of my guests at my campground is a real life picture that could never be captured by a camera.

Days are warm and at night you need a light sweater to enjoy the campfire or snuggle up in a cozy blanket. The campground is full and the campers are excited to participate in Normal's annual Pumpkin Carving Carnival.

It's a little spooky seeing the hundreds jack-o-lantern faces all light up with toothless or toothy smiles.

It's the dead body among them that chills me to the bone.

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58194659-jackets-jack-o-lantern-justice

Amazon https://amzn.to/3nkiSdG

ASIN: ‎ B0965KHXMW
Publisher: ‎ Tonya Kappes Books (October 21, 2021)
Publication Date: ‎ October 21, 2021
Print Length: ‎ 155 pages

My Review:

It's Halloween time in Normal, Kentucky. The campground is all decked out in spooky decorations. Mae has organized a pumpkin carving contest for all the guests in her campground. In the middle of the festivities, Mae finally confronts Hank about his abrupt return to Happy Trails, his new appearance, and the change in campers. He's trying to stay under the radar while unofficially working on a case. The case involves his sister, Ellis. Mae reluctantly agrees to help, all in the name of helping Hank out, even if it means avoiding an out-of-town Ranger intent on finding Hank.

The author introduced potential suspects, providing the reader with means, motive, and opportunities for each. Some of the suspects were much stronger than others and it took some deep thinking to get to the bottom of the murder. There were twists and turns that had me going in one direction only to have the mystery shift. The author did a great job building up the suspense until the reveal of the murderer and motive. As Mae unraveled the murder, shocking events are revealed, suspects are added and removed from the list, and danger abounds.

As with the rest of the books in the series, the mystery isn't the only thing going on in Normal, Kentucky. Tonya Kappes did a terrific job of weaving everything together between Hank's return, the murder, and the side stories. The characters are wonderfully crafted, realistically written, and I feel like I'm coming home to Normal with every book in the series I read.

I was provided a copy of the book to read.

My Review:

Audiobook Review ~ One for the Books (Library Lover's Mystery, Book #11) by Jenn McKinlay @JennMcKinlay @Dreamscapeaudio

 

About the Book:

Wedding bells are ringing in the latest page-turning Library Lover's Mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of Word to the Wise.

Love is in the air in Briar Creek as library director Lindsey Norris and boat captain Mike (Sully) Sullivan are finally tying the knot. The entire town is excited for the happy day, and Lindsey and Sully's plan for a small wedding evaporates as more and more people insist upon attending the event of the year.

When Lindsey and her crafternoon pals head out to Bell Island to see if it can accommodate the ever-expanding guest list, they are horrified to discover a body washed up on the rocky shore. Even worse, Lindsey recognizes the man as the justice of the peace who was supposed to officiate her wedding ceremony. When it becomes clear he was murdered, Lindsey can't help but wonder if it had to do with the wedding. Now she has to book it to solve the mystery before it ends her happily ever after before it's even begun....

Publication Date : September 1, 2020
Print Length : 300 pages
Publisher : Berkley 
ASIN : B082H2D2LP
Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/33kmjIt

Audiobook ISBN: 9781662013232

Duration: 7 Hours, 28 Minutes

Audible Link: https://amzn.to/3atbFCg

My Review:

It's almost time for Lindsey and Sully's wedding. The whole town of Briar Creek is as excited as the happy couple. This is going to be the wedding of the century except the size continues to grow. When Lindsey realizes she gave the incorrect guest list to the stationer, she and Sully must go out to the location of the nuptials and make sure it can accommodate the increase in guests. What they weren't expecting to find is the body of the man slated to perform the wedding ceremony. 

One for the Books is another great book in the series. I enjoyed the book so much I devoured it as fast as I could. Every character is great. I found myself able to connect with Lindsey and Beth, not because they are similar to me or we've been down the same roads, but because they are fun, interesting, and nice. I love the author's writing style, the pacing was good, and the story compelling. The continual character development allows for me to get to know Lindsey, Beth, Sully, and everyone else. The author created a wonderful town, with wonderful characters, and I was able to visualize the entire story. This might be book 11 but the author does a spectacular job keeping the mystery, characters, and story fresh.

The audiobook is narrated by Allyson Ryan. Ms. Ryan does an excellent job with the narration of One for the Books. Each character has a distinct voice in tone, inflection, and enunciation. The narrator has a pleasant voice, making an already enjoyable book (I also read the ebook), even better. Fans of the Library Lover's Mystery series will love not only reading the book but also listening to is, as well. 

I was provided a copy of this audiobook to review.

My Rating: