Cozy Mystery Book Review ~ A Murderous Misconception (Victoria Square Mystery, Book #7) by Lorraine Bartlett & Gayle Leeson @LorraineBartlet

 

Katie Bonner loses her lunch—literally—when her social media account serves up a shocking announcement. Her boyfriend Andy’s assistant manager, Erikka, is pregnant, and apparently with his child. And when Erikka turns up dead, the Sheriff turns up the heat on Katie and Andy, certain that one of them is to blame. But Erikka wasn't pregnant after all. Was Erikka's misconception the only way she could conceive of stealing Andy from Katie?

When Katie finds planted evidence, it’s her friend and former detective, Ray, who insists on concealing it. Is it his growing affection for her that causes him to act against his training and code of ethics, or could he be responsible for Erikka’s death? Katie is afraid to find out.

Amazon https://amzn.to/2TQ6BCB
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51010852-a-murderous-misconception

Book Details:

ASIN: ‎ B084GCHYL9
Publisher: ‎ Polaris Press
Publication Date: ‎ May 8, 2020
Print Length: ‎ 296 pages

My Review:

In A Murderous Misconception, Katie's world is turned upside down when Andy is revealed as a cheater. His assistant, Erikka, posts her pregnancy with Andy on her social media for the whole world to see. When Erikka is found murdered, the sheriff automatically sets his sights on Katie and Andy. Who better to blame than the scorned girlfriend or the cheating boyfriend?! As more about Erikka is revealed, it is discovered she was never pregnant - but Andy did still cheat on Katie with her. Now, Katie must figure out why Erikka lied about the pregnancy and who may have wanted her dead. Katie knows she didn't do it, and now she has to find the proof to show the sheriff.

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.

My Rating:

#Book #Review ~ Lanterns, Lakes, & Larceny (Camper & Criminals #23) by Tonya Kappes #CozyMystery #TonyaKappes

 

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.

Over the past few months my love life has been on what you'd call a slippery slope. Just this past week I'd resigned to the fact that me and Hank Sharp was caput! Done with. No more!

And when I got a phone call during Bobby Ray's meeting with his birth mother from Hank, I felt like I was wrapped up between a nightmare and a dream.

Let me cut to the chase.

Hank's best friend Jerry Truman is a local private investigator and he's got a HUGE case that includes a dead body. Of course I've not stuck my nose in it because honestly it has nothing to do with me. Those are the kinda murders I like, but now that Hank has told me he's back and helping Jerry, and get this...they need me to use my sleuthing skills to help them, it's now my business.

One, because I love to snoop and two because by the sound of things, Hank Sharp misses me as much as I miss him.

You see, this case will be a double win!

At least that's what I thought until I'm the one staring into the barrel of a shot gun when I found out a little too much information.

ASIN: ‎ B0965LGFVJ
Publisher: ‎ Tonya Kappes Books
Publication Date: ‎ September 23, 2021
Print length: ‎ 161 pages

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ADQt82

My Review:

Holy Smokes! Hank is back! He's parked a new camper in Happy Trails Campground and gone to work with Jerry Truman as a PI. Shockingly, Hank and Jerry request Mae's assistance with a case. Shortly after Mae gets involved, murder becomes the activity of the day. 

Lanterns, Lakes, & Larceny is another great book in the Campers & Criminals series. The mystery is exciting, intriguing, and kept me guessing. The author introduced potential suspects, providing the reader with means, motive, and opportunities for each. 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 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'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 am fortunate enough to read.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

My Rating:

#Cozy #Mystery #Review ~ Burden of Poof (Bonnie & Clyde Mysteries #1) by Julie Anne Lindsey @JulieALindsey

An amateur sleuth named Bonnie and her kitty companion Clyde, with names like those, what could possibly go wrong?


Life hasn't sparkled too brightly for Bonnie Balfour over the past few years, but a heart-breaking divorce has brought her back to her small rural hometown of Bliss, Georgia, and things are starting to shape up.

The proud new owner of Bless Her Heart—a second chance dress shop and boutique on the town square—Bonnie thinks thirty-eight might not be too late for a fresh start in life after all.

Until a grouchy old widow turns up dead in a pile of donations meant for Bonnie’s shop, and the town’s new detective pins her to the top of his suspect list!

To save her shop, dream and reputation, Bonnie must coordinate clues and stitch together the truth about her innocence, but the unreasonably handsome detective and prying eyes of the local gossip mill are fast fraying her nerves.

When a series of anonymous attacks begin to hem her in, Bonnie fears the real killer is fixing to make her his next victim. Can this amateur sleuth measure up?

Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57479580-burden-of-poof

Purchase from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3hEr074

ASIN: ‎ B08ZL91YMW
Publisher: ‎ Cozy Queen Publishing LLC
Publication Date: ‎ September 15, 2021
Print Length: ‎ 254 pages

My Review:

Bonnie Balfour is back in Bliss, Georgia after a devastating divorce. She’s set up shop in town as the owner of Bless Her Heart. Featuring a secondhand dress shop and boutique. Her new chapter in life is off to a wonderful start until Bonnie finds the body of a widow in a pile of garments meant for Bonnie’s shop. Now, Bonnie’s at the top of suspect list, all because of tussle she had with the widow months prior. Bonnie knows she didn’t commit such a horrible crime and to save her reputation and her shop, she turns amateur sleuth.

I loved Burden of Poof. 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.

The author's writing style is fluid, the pacing is perfect, and 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 Burden of Poof and can't wait for the next book.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

My Rating: