Book #Review: Knot on Her Life (A Quilting Mystery) by Mary Marks #CozyMystery @KensingtonBooks

Knot on Her Life

A Quilting Mystery, Book 7

Book Details:

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Publisher: Kensington

Publish Date: July 30, 2019

Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages 

ISBN-10: 1496720504 

ISBN-13: 978-1496720504 

Digital ASIN: B07K5ZJRYX
Purchase on Amazon

About the Book:

While quilter Martha Rose awaits the birth of her granddaughter, a neighborhood girl appears at her door with a mystery that can’t be pinned down . .

Martha’s eager to finish the baby quilt she’s making for her new granddaughter, but she scraps those plans when a young girl rings her doorbell begging for help. Poppy Halaby, the foster child of Martha’s neighbor, is an orphan whose parents were murdered by a killer who was never caught. When Poppy’s doting foster mom falls suspiciously ill, Martha is determined to keep the child safe. But she’ll have to unravel more about Poppy’s parents to stitch a broken family back together again—and prevent another crime cut from the same cloth . . .

My Review:

Knot on Her Life by Mary Marks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Martha Rose is back and expecting a grandchild any day now. While she’s waiting, she’s making a quilt for the new baby. When her neighbor Sonia’s new foster child, Poppy, comes knocking because there’s been a medical emergency under suspicious circumstances, Martha’s attention is diverted. Poppy’s parents were murdered, and the killer was never apprehended, raising suspicion in both Martha and her fiancé, Crusher. Circumstances behind how Poppy ended up in the foster care system puzzle Martha, as well, since both of her parents come from wealthy, prominent families. Be prepared for an emotional trip that will not only tug at your heartstrings but infuriate you, as well.

Martha Rose has really developed as a crime solver/fighter. She does the best she can in the situations presented to her. She’s not nearly as daft and is a little bit better at taking precautions. She still bends the laws on occasion but either it’s not as often as in the first few books or I’m just getting used to her methods. In this book, she manages to accomplish more than those assigned to the murder case. When you have a rapport with people like Martha does, it’s no wonder she gets adults and children to open up to her.

I love all the characters in the Quilting Mysteries by Mary Marks. The relationship between Martha and Crusher is sweet and I’m honestly glad she is with him. He is so devoted to Martha and her to Crusher. The quilting group, which now includes Giselle, Martha’s half-sister, is a riot and totally have Martha’s back. I really feel like they are all my friends since we’ve now been together for seven books. I hope we continue to get more books in this series.

Mary Marks does another wonderful job building up the mystery and keeping everything a secret. The truth of the situation is revealed at the perfect time and the person responsible is not the person I thought it would be. The writing flows well and is concise. The author's writing style is fluid and smooth and so easy to get lost in. The romantic elements of Knot on Her Life are subtle and don't overshadow the mystery. The entire novel is engaging; never a dull moment.

Thank you Kensington for the review copy.  

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Book #Review ~ The Time for Murder Is Meow (Urban Tails Pet Shop Mysteries Book 1) by T.C. LoTempio #CozyMystery

 

ASIN: ‎ B0937H1KTT

Publisher: ‎ Beyond the Page
Publication Date: ‎ June 9, 2021
Print Length: ‎ 238 pages

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3QUF5N8

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58299671-the-time-for-murder-is-meow

About the Book:

Shell McMillan and her furry sidekicks aren’t kitten around when they set out to catch a killer . . .

When her TV series is canceled, struggling actress Shell McMillan considers it a blessing in disguise. A beloved aunt who recently died left her a pet shop in her will, and she sees it as the perfect chance to walk away from Hollywood and make a fresh start in the sleepy town of Fox Hollow.

But adjusting to small-town life won’t be easy, as Shell realizes when the head of the museum board is found murdered not long after Shell had a very public argument with her. And when the new kid in town is fingered for the crime, she’ll have to rely on her own wit and pluck and the kindness of strangers to get herself off the hook.

Desperate to exonerate herself and catch the real culprit, Shell begins digging into the lives of the local residents, and she quickly discovers that the victim had no shortage of enemies. As the suspect list grows and time runs short, Shell and her cats will have to claw their way out of danger—and it’s meow or never . . .

My Review:

The Time for Murder is Meow by T.C. LoTempio
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed The Time for Murder is Meow. For being a Hollywood star, Shell is down-to-earth, friendly, and a wonderful protagonist. Bringing Shell back to Connecticut to run her late aunt’s pet store is a unique setting and foundation for this new series. When she’s informed that the local museum board has rejected her offer to loan the museum an extensive collection of Cary Grant artifacts for an exhibit, Shell can’t believe their decision. Then she learns the reason why: apparently there’s a long-standing feud between her aunt and one of the board members, Amelia Witherspoon. 

On a quest to get those who voted against the loan, Shell confronts 3 other board members and Amelia. The discussions are heated, things are said, actions taken, then, when Shell thinks she’s going to get to talk some sense into Amelia, Shell finds Amelia dead in the museum. Even though there are many people who dislike Amelia, Shell finds herself a person of interest. Now she must navigate her new town, put plans to open up the pet store on hold, and figure out who killed Amelia before Shell finds herself unemployed and behind bars.

The character development was done well. We get a good look at Shell’s character, who she is, why she’s back in CT, and past relationships – boyfriends, co-stars, and managers, etc. Shell meets a lot of people in this book and the characters are written well. Bringing in Shell’s former co-start, Gary, into Fox Hollow was a nice touch. He brought a nice, supportive element to Shell’s life and is more than willing to help her solve the murder. The author also provides plenty of suspects for Shell, Gary, and their cohort to investigate.

The world created by the author is described well and I was able to visualize the setting, characters, and scenes. The only issue I had with the book is that I knew exactly who did it very early on. I didn’t have a clue as to why though. Knowing who murdered Amelia did not, at all, change my views of the book. I still enjoyed the characters, setting, and path taken for the reveal. There is the potential for a love interest and I am very excited to see where the author takes it through the series.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.   

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Book #Review ~ Till Death Do Us Tart (A Bakeshop Mystery #8) by Ellie Alexander #CozyMystery @ellielovesbooks

 

Book Details:

ASIN: ‎ B077XKS2SY
Publisher: ‎ St. Martin's Paperbacks
Publication Date: ‎ June 26, 2018
Print Length: ‎ 286 pages

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3QWmRdw

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36187823-till-death-do-us-tart

Torte—the small-town bakeshop no one can resist—is hosting a midsummer night’s wedding . . . where merry-making and murder are served up in equal measure. Till Death Do Us Tart is Ellie Alexander's eighth delectable novel in the Bakeshop mystery series.

Jules Capshaw has too much on her plate—and she’s feeling the pinch: the whole town of Ashland, Oregon, is in on the surprise Elizabethan-themed wedding she’s planning for her mom and soon-to-be stepdad. But is her secret scheme half-baked? She’s hiding racks overflowing with sweet treats while Torte is topsy-turvy with a major remodel and the return of Jules’s estranged husband, Carlos. And until now, Jules had no clue about the bitter family feud that has her friend Lance frazzled and suspicious. But when a party crasher takes someone out with a serving of poisoned wine and Jules discovers the deadly cup was intended for her, it’s time to turn the tables on a killer.

Review:

A lot of events are taking place in Till Death Do Us Tart. Surprise weddings, demo and reconstruction in Torte, the arrival of Carlos, and Lance's family feud. There's only so much a girl can take but it's about to get worse. When someone takes the opportunity to slip poison into a glass of wine meant for Jules, she goes on full alert to find a potential killer before they have a chance to strike again.

The world building continues as new events take shape, book settings change, and new characters are introduced. The familiar favorites are always a pleasure to see on the pages. I enjoy reading about Jules, Jules's mom, Stephanie, Sterling, Carlos, Lance, Andy, Thomas, and the Professor. I connect with all the favorites on some level and can't imagine these books without them.

The story is fast paced and engaging. I enjoyed trying to unravel the murder mystery. Every time I thought I had things all figured out, the author tossed in a complication that changed my mind. Ellie Alexander does a great job keeping everything under wraps and revealing things methodically and at the right time.

I love the Bakeshop Mystery series. All of the books are wonderful. I enjoy Jules, her estranged ex Carlos, Jules' mom and The Professor, Lance, and Stephanie, Sterling, and Andy. Each story is different, containing not just the murder mystery but other threads. The author does a fantastic job weaving multiple stories within each book. Each thread makes sense as you move along in the book, some intersecting with the murder and others just additional everyday life. The books are descriptive and I am able to immerse myself into the town of Ashland or wherever the author takes the characters in this series.

I purchased the paperback for my library from Amazon.

Rating:

Book Review ~ Red Letter Slay (Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery #8) by Tonya Kappes #CozyMystery

ASIN: ‎ B09SDLYTZF
Publisher: ‎ Tonya Kappes Books
Publication Date: ‎ July 28, 2022
Print Length: ‎ 182 pages

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3zM52qM

Discover the southern life of Bernadette Butler, along with the eccentric and lovable citizens, along with all the fur babies, who live in Sugar Creek Gap in this southern cozy mystery series by USA TODAY Bestselling Author Tonya Kappes.

Wedding bells are ringing all over Sugar Creek Gap for Bernadette Butler and Mac Tabor.
Folks in Sugar Creek Gap, Kentucky are so excited for Bernadette Butler! She's getting married to Mac Tabor, the man of her dreams!

Wedding week is nerve-wracking enough but add to that a murder of a local radio DJ with a nasty reputation was found stabbed to death with a letter opener days before Bernadette's wedding and the DJ who Bernadette hired for the wedding is the number one suspect. Now Bernadette has not only possibly lost a big part of her dream wedding, she’ll have to solve a mystery with more layers than the five-tiered wedding cake!

'Red Letter Slay’ is a full-length cozy mystery and can be read as a standalone. Book #8 in the Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery Series.

My Review:

Red Letter Slay is the eighth book in the Mail Carrier Mystery series by Tonya Kappes. This series is amazing, and I love Bernie, Mac, and the Front Porch Ladies. The murder mystery kept me guessing as Bernie hunts down a killer while trying to plan her granddaughter's first birthday party, plan time for the local football game, and finish preparations for her upcoming wedding to Mac. This installment includes a lot of speculation, revelations, surprises, and wonderful family moments. The addition of several different themes woven throughout the mystery gave the book depth and a realistic feel.

The author did a fantastic job introducing potential suspects in the attempted murder of a resident and the bonified murder of another. There were means, motive, and opportunity for those added to the list. I had a hard time trying to figure out who committed the crime. Every time a suspect was identified, something or someone was able to come up with an alibi for that person or a reason why they weren’t involved. The characters are likable, realistic, and I loved them.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

My Rating:

Cozy Mystery Book Review ~ Three Shots to the Wind (Chloe Jackson, Sea Glass Saloon Mystery #3) by Sherry Harris @SHarrisAuthor #CozyMystery #Review

 

The third installment in Sherry Harris’s Agatha Award-nominated series finds former Chicago librarian Chloe Jackson loving her new life as a bartender in Florida…until a surprise visit from her Windy City ex-fiancé ends with him blown away in the Panhandle!

DEAD EXES TELL NO TALES

About the Book:

Saloon owner Chloe Jackson appears to have a secret admirer. She’s pouring drinks at the Sea Glass Saloon in Emerald Cove when an airplane flies by above the beach with a banner reading I LOVE YOU CHLOE JACKSON. She immediately rules out Rip Barnett. They are in the early stages of dating and no one has said the L word. Then a bouquet of lilacs—her favorite flower—is delivered to the bar, followed by an expensive bottle of her favorite sparkling wine. It couldn’t be…

Sure enough, her ex-fiancé from Chicago has flown down to Florida for an accountants’ convention. But is he trying to mix business with pleasure and win her back? Unfortunately he’s not in a hotel conference room, he’s floating facedown in the lake next to her house, clutching a photo of Chloe. Who murders an accountant on a business trip—it just doesn’t add up. When Rip becomes the prime suspect, Chloe is determined to find the secret murderer. But if she isn’t careful, it may be closing time and lights out for her…

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ddhQyX

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58509390-three-shots-to-the-wind

Book Details:

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B098KLTMZX
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kensington Cozies
Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 29, 2022
Print length ‏ : ‎ 274 pages

My Review:

Three Shots to the Wind is the third book in the Chloe Jackson, Sea Glass Saloon Mystery series. I love this series and enjoy all of the time I get to spend to Chloe in Emerald Cove. Chloe is everything I need in a cozy mystery heroine. She is likable (always important), realistic, imperfect - but the perfect person for this series, a little clueless, fiercely protective, and someone I would love to be my best friend. 

The story is not, however, all grins and giggles as Chloe discovers she has a secret admirer who just happens to know some of her favorites....flowers, wine. The discovery of her ex-fiancé's body on the beach near her house has her completely rattled. Why now, after a year-and-a-half did Perry come back to woo her, and who wanted him dead?

Chloe has settled in quite nicely in Emerald Cove. She's still an outsider to most but she has a select few who consider her family. I love how she has integrated herself into the town. The emergence of Perry into her new life would have complicated things, especially since she's in a relationship, but his death is a down-right catastrophe. Chloe, unsatisfied with the speed of law enforcement, begins her own sleuthing and her discoveries are shocking.

Three Shots to the Wind is a fast-paced and engaging novel. The author is such a wonderful writer and I love her ability to instill true emotional reactions in her readers, and not just shock, awe, and humor. This book has other themes threaded through it, making the story realistic. Realism - that's where it's at for me in any book.

Three Shots to the Wind is another fantastic book in this series. I love the continued character development and introduction of an assortment of secondary characters. Chloe considers several of the characters to be suspects, giving the reader several viable murderers. Her process of elimination leads to a twist I didn't see coming. The story is original, and I was able to visualize each scene as they played out. A fantastic story, a love interest, and a capable and competent main character make this 5 stars for me. The author has another hit series on her hands!

I was provided a copy of this book to read #NetGalley

My Rating: