#BookReview ~ A Twinkle of Trouble (A Fairy Garden Mystery) by Daryl Wood Gerber ~ #cozymystery #Review #KensingtonBooks @KensingtonBooks

A Twinkle of Trouble (A Fairy Garden Mystery) by Daryl Wood Gerber

About A Twinkle of Trouble:

 

A Twinkle of Trouble (A Fairy Garden Mystery)

Cozy Mystery

5th in Series

Setting: California

Publisher: ‎ Kensington Cozies (April 23, 2024)

Paperback: ‎ 304 pages

ISBN-10: ‎ 1496744934

ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1496744937

Kindle ASIN: ‎ B0CFGF36NM

About A Twinkle of Trouble:

Carmel-by-the-Sea garden shop owner Courtney Kelly sees things others can’t—like fairies, and hidden motives for murder . . .

Courtney is delighted when her tiny friend Fiona returns from the fairy realm, appearing at the base of a Cypress tree. When her Ragdoll cat, Pixie, emerges from her own portal—aka the cat door—the three set off for a busy day. Busier than usual, since Courtney has rented a small plot of land at the Flower Farm, where she hopes to grow her own supplies for her fairy-garden business. Plus, the annual Summer Blooms Festival is coming up, and Courtney has booked a booth . . .

But the murder of Courtney’s friend, Genevieve, casts a pall over the festival. Ever since Genevieve sold her floral business, she’d been building a career as an influencer. She was perennially opinionated—but in her new role she’d become surprisingly vicious, dissing local entrepreneurs with nasty posts and unwarranted bad reviews. That’s landed a couple of Courtney’s other friends on the suspect list—including Flower Farm owner Daphne Flores. And when a second victim is discovered, seeds of doubt about Daphne’s innocence sprout in Courtney’s mind. With only a germ of a clue, Courtney will have to overturn every rock to get the dirt on the real killer . . .

My Review:

A Twinkle of Trouble is the fifth book in the Fairy Garden Mystery series. Featuring fairies, cats, and a wonderful cast of characters, A Twinkle of Trouble is another slam dunk cozy mystery.

Courtney Kelly's fairy garden shop is booming. Between walk-in private lessons, group lessons, and individual sales, Open Your Imagination has become a popular destination for both believers and non-believers. Courtney even hosts fairy garden parties.

Courtney's fairy friend has returned from the fairy realm. Fiona had been gone a month, much to Courtney and her feline companion Pixie's dismay. Life can now get back to normal, and Courtney can focus on the Summer Blooms Festival and her quarter-acre of land at the Flower Farm. Except, the death of Courtney's friend Genevieve dims the happiness and excitement of the festival and farm.

This is a very unique story with unique elements. I enjoyed the fairy garden shop setting, complete with a live fairy. The characters are fun and exciting. I enjoyed Courtney's character. Her business is successful and thriving. She cares about her friends and citizens in Carmel-by-the-Sea and makes it her mission to help solve the crime, even when a couple of her friends appear as suspects. The author delivers several suspects with means and motive, and figuring out who committed the crime was difficult. There are twists and turns and red herrings, and while I may have suspected who committed the crime, I never was really sure until the end.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

My Rating:

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#BookReview ~ Battered and Buried (An All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery) by Lena Gregory #CozyMystery

Battered and Buried (An All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery) by Lena Gregory

Battered and Buried (An All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery)

Cozy Mystery

7th in Series

Setting - Florida

Publisher: ‎ Beyond the Page (March 19, 2024)

Paperback: ‎ 188 pages

ISBN-10: ‎ 1960511580

ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1960511584 

Digital ASIN: ‎ B0CW18PPSQ

About Battered and Buried:

The best-laid plans may go awry, but the best-laid clues could frame a man for murder . . . Never one to let a day off work go to waste, café owner Gia Morelli and a friend head out for a blissful kayaking trip through the local national forest. But the peacefulness of the day is soon shattered when they come across Cole, her head cook, standing over a dead body. Worse still, the victim was a lifelong enemy of Cole’s, and clues found on the body point to the cook as the culprit. When the police take Cole in and subject him to an intense grilling, Gia vows to do everything she can to prove his innocence. As even more incriminating evidence surfaces—including when the murder weapon itself is found hidden at the café—Gia knows she’s up against someone brutal enough to kill and devious enough to frame Cole for the deed. With the police ready to make an official arrest and wrap up what they consider an open-and-shut case, Gia turns for help to an old friend who’s not above breaking the law himself. Because if she can’t find the killer, Cole may go from serving up hot dishes to serving a life sentence . . .

My Review:

Battered and Buried is the 7th book in the amazing All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery series. Gia finds her head cook embroiled in the murder of an unpleasant newcomer. The evidence against Cole continues to stack up but Gia knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that he's not guilty. Proving it, however, has become a full-time job.

I really enjoyed Battered and Buried. The book is perfectly paced - not too fast and not too slow. I was pulled in from the very beginning and engaged in the plot. The character development continues, and we learn more about the characters and learn backstory without being bogged down with useless filler. The story was fun, exciting, suspenseful, and full of twists and turns. I had a wonderful time trying to figure out just what happened and who was responsible. The continued world building is great, and I was able to visualize the story.

Gia came from New York one person and has since evolved into another as she gets used to the differences in Florida. Gia is a very strong character and I enjoy the books about her world. I love that the author does not, at any time, write her as weak or unstable. She's just had a very rough past that she thought she would escape by moving away from her former life and completely starting over. Samantha and Hunt are stability characters for Gia. Savannah is a wonderful best friend and Hunt is an excellent partner.

The characters are all likeable, the setting in Florida is nice. The chemistry between Gia and Hunt is sweet and believable. I prefer a little bit of soft romance in my cozy mysteries. I really enjoy the author's writing style and love her Bay Island Mystery series.

Previously reviewed on Sapphyria's Books.

I was provided a copy of this book.

My Rating:

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#BookReview ~ Double Scoop of Murder (Coffee & Cream Café Mysteries) by Lena Gregory ~ @LenaGregory03 #CozyMystery

Double Scoop of Murder (Coffee & Cream Café Mysteries) by Lena Gregory

Double Scoop of Murder (Coffee & Cream Café Mysteries)

Cozy Mystery

3rd in Series

Setting:  New York

Gemma Halliday Publishing (February 27, 2024)

Number of Pages: 226

Digital ASIN: ‎ B0CKV7QQB8

From author Lena Gregory comes a hunt for more than just treasure...

About Double Scoop to Murder:

Danika Delany is loving running her uncle's old fashioned malt shop on eastern Long Island and putting her own modern spin on the treats they serve. Life is finally looking up for her! That is, until local billionaire Maxwell Crumbholtz dies and leaves his fortune in the form of a treasure hunt. Chaos descends on Watchogue, and Dani and the rest of the gang from the Coffee & Cream Café join the melee when they enter the contest, try to decipher the clues, and go in search of the treasure. But Dani digs up more than she expected when she discovers a dead body buried instead of a treasure! To make matters worse, a witness claims to have seen Dani at the scene of the murder. Now, instead of a four-billion-dollar payday, Dani is on the hunt for a killer.

My Review:

A Double Scoop of Murder is third wonderful book in the Coffee & Cream Café Mystery series.

Lena Gregory has dished up another winner with A Double Scoop of Murder. A cleverly crafted mystery, delightful characters, and a fun small town with the infamous busybodies. I loved being back in this world.

I love the treasure hunt aspect of Double Scoop of Murder. As the treasure hunt is taking place, a body is found, ratcheting up the intensity of the story. The murder mystery was well-developed, and I was completely engaged in the hunt for the suspect. There are many twists and turns, and every time I thought I solved the murder, the arc shifted, and we were chasing down someone else.

I loved every single page of this book from the characters, the setting, the mystery, and the author's writing style. I found myself totally immersed in every facet of Double Scoop of Murder. The pacing was perfect and once I started the book, I just couldn't put it down.

I was provided a copy of this book.

Review previously published on Sapphyria's Books.

My Rating:

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#BookReview ~ Ranch & Red Herrings (Bluegrass Ridge Ranch Mystery, Book 1) by Tonya Kappes ~ #CozyMystery

 

ASIN: ‎ B0F652KD1Y

Publisher: Tonya Kappes Books

Publication date: June 27, 2025

Print length: 292 pages

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Murder’s just another scandal waiting on the porch.

Georgia “Cussy” Hollingsworth thought she’d left small-town drama behind when she traded Kentucky for city life. But when her beloved uncle dies under suspicious circumstances, she’s pulled straight back to the last place she wanted to be—right into the middle of a horse and cattle ranch she never asked for and a murder she can’t ignore.

The plan was simple: settle his affairs, sell the property, and head home. Instead, Cussy finds herself tangled in long-held grudges, whispered secrets, and neighbors who remember everything—except who had a reason to kill.

Now she's balancing farm chores with fact-finding, dodging shady locals, and stumbling across more questions than answers. And with someone clearly trying to scare her off, Cussy has to decide: walk away, or dig in her heels and uncover the truth—before the killer makes her the next loose end to tie up.

Small town. Big secrets. And a reluctant sleuth who’s about to learn that some roots run deeper than she ever imagined.

My Review:

Ranch & Red Herrings if the first book in a brand new series by Tonya Kappes. Georgia "Cussy" Hollingsworth is called back to the small town where her uncle Amos and cousins live after the unexpected death of her uncle. Her uncle's death reveals an unexpected inheritance. She was chosen to take over the ranch instead of her cousins. As she's trying to figure out ranch life and whether or not it's for her, the cause of Amos's death is revealed. Now Cussy is not only trying to run a ranch but also find a murderer.

Ranch & Red Herrings is a fast-paced murder mystery. Cussy is a great character but I wish she was more confident and stood up for herself. I loved meeting the supporting characters. Each one brought their own uniqueness to the story.

I found myself working with Cussy to develop a suspect list. There are several people in town who have means, motive and/or opportunity. The author does a great job setting up the mystery. There are twists and turns, taking the reader on a wild ride through a working ranch. I do think the suspect reveal and ending were a bit abrupt but after the explanation was relayed, it does make sense. The person involved was never even on my radar. The author set the mystery up well and I ended up being surprised at how everything played out. Well done!

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:

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#BookReview ~ A Murder at the Movies (A Secret Bookcase Mystery #2) by Ellie Alexander #CozyMystery #EllieAlexander

 

A Murder at the Movies (A Secret Bookcase Mystery #2) by Ellie Alexander

ASIN: ‎ B0D5VBWNH6
Publisher: ‎ Storm Publishing (June 19, 2024)
Publication Date: ‎ June 19, 2024
Print length: ‎ 262 pages

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About the Book:

When bookseller and events organizer Annie Murray invites the glamorous world of Hollywood along to her small-town film festival, she finds herself entangled in a sinister plot as twisted as any big-screen thriller…

After the success of her first event, which revived the fortunes of the bookstore she loves so dearly, Annie is excited to launch Redwood Grove’s first film festival. But when an infamous film critic plunges to his death during the premiere of a Hitchcock-inspired thriller, Annie’s instincts tell her that this was no accident. She soon discovers that many of the cast, crew and guests are harboring dark secrets; from the lead actress with a scandalous past, to a film historian obsessed with protecting his vintage reel collection.

Determined to unravel the mystery, Annie must sift through a tangled web of hidden agendas and deception to expose the killer before they strike again. Can she crack the case and save her film festival – or will she find herself in the spotlight?

My Review:

A Murder at the Movies is the second book in the new series, The Secret Bookcase Mysteries, by Ellie Alexander. After getting through the Mystery Fest, Annie sets up their next event - a film festival. The first ever in the history of Redwood Grove. With the film festival, though, comes a very harsh movie critic. Before the premier movie even really gets going, the film critic falls from the balcony. There is what seems to be a never ending suspect list just based on the interactions between the critic and everyone he was around. Annie finds herself wading through everyone's backstory and history with the critic in an effort to unmask the killer so she can say that's a wrap before anyone else gets hurt.

I really enjoyed the second book in the Secret Bookcase Mystery. There are several threads woven into this story. It's not just a current murder mystery. Annie lost a friend years ago to murder and she's still trying to figure that one out. The chemistry between Annie and Liam sparks a little brighter in A Murder at the Movies but doesn't overshadow the mystery. I love my cozies with a bit of romance but not a love story that undermines the story. 

The characters are interesting, likeable, and 3-dimensional. The author wrote them realistically with personality (or lack thereof, as it were for some of them), dimension, and emotion. I enjoyed the small town feel created and developed, and I felt like I was there assisting Annie figure out who had the means, motive, and opportunity. The story and mystery really pulled me in and kept me engaged. The death/murder mystery kept me guessing. I found the entire book to be well thought out with wonderful pacing.

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:

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#BookReview ~ Thick As Thieves (Kenni Lowry Mystery Book 11) by Tonya Kappes #CozyMystery #TonyaKappesBooks

 

Sheriff Kenni Lowry should be blissfully planning her wedding, but Cottonwood, Kentucky has other plans. When Judge Horace Blackwell is found murdered in his chambers, Kenni is thrown into a case packed with family feuds, a mysterious inheritance, and secrets buried—literally—beneath the town.

With her ghostly Poppa offering his usual (and sometimes unwelcome) advice, her trusty hound Duke, and her fiancé Finn by her side, Kenni is racing to solve the case before the killer strikes again. As the trail winds through high-stakes poker games, long-forgotten tunnels, and scandalous secrets, Kenni realizes the culprit may be closer to home than she ever imagined.

Can Kenni crack the case and keep her wedding plans on track, or will the murderer make sure she never makes it to “I do”?

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ASIN: ‎ B0D5BYV893
Publisher: ‎ Tonya Kappes Books
Publication Date: ‎ February 23, 2025
Print Length: ‎ 217 pages

My Review:

Thick as Thieves is book 11 in the Kenni Lowry series. A murdered judge disrupts wedding planning for Kenni, the local Sheriff in Cottonwood, KY. The death was horrific enough, but the sheer amount of evil that oozes out of the walls in this small town is enough to choke a person. Filled with feuds, finances, and secrets, Kenni finds herself flitting all over Cottonwood trying to pin down a suspect.

I enjoyed Thick as Thieves. I’m a fan of books with supernatural elements and having Poppa’s ghost help Kenni is a fun aspect. 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 asset to Kenni as she investigates and attempts to analyze the clues and piece everything together.

World-building and character development continues in Thick as Thieves. I enjoyed the characters and their involvement in this book. Enjoyable and interesting, this cozy mystery pulled me in and kept me engaged. The mystery was intricate and wonderfully woven through the pages.

And that ending!!

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:

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#BookReview ~ The Body in the Bookstore (A Secret Bookcase Mystery #1) by Ellie Alexander #CozyMystery

 

The Body in the Bookstore (A Secret Bookcase Mystery #1) by Ellie Alexander 

ASIN:‎ B0D4RV4P8V

Publisher: ‎Storm Publishing
Publication date: ‎June 19, 2024

Print length: ‎274 pages

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About the Book:

An addictively cozy and gripping murder mystery introducing a brand-new amateur sleuth and lovable heroine to the crime scene…

Welcome to The Secret Bookcase, a quirky bookstore in a grand, converted manor house, where the selection of crime fiction is dangerously good. The store has been bookseller and events manager Annie Murray’s sanctuary ever since her dreams of starting a detective agency with her best friend died, literally, when Scarlet was murdered.

Annie has never stopped trying to solve the mystery of her friend’s death, but her quiet life in leafy Redwood Grove, with its warm community of likeminded local business-owners and book-lovers, has provided the solace she needed. Until now.

When a body is discovered in the bookstore during the town’s inaugural Mystery Fest, Anne finds herself catapulted to the centre of a real-life whodunit. Dusting off her criminology degree, Annie is determined to put her sleuthing skills to good use and catch the killer – before it’s too late.

My Review:

The Body in the Bookstore is the first book in the brand new series, The Secret Bookcase Mysteries, by Ellie Alexander. Annie Murray has set up what she hopes is the perfect event to bring life back to The Secret Bookcase and to the town on Redwood Grove. People are coming from far and wide to the very first Mystery Fest. The mood shifts, however, when a dead body is discovered during the festivities. Annie is thrust into the middle of real-life murder case, using her degree in criminology and unofficially partnering with someone from her past.

I really enjoyed this first book in the brand new Secret Bookcase Mystery. There are several threads woven into this story. It's not just a current murder mystery. Annie lost a friend years ago to murder and she's still trying to figure that one out. Now there's a body in one of the clue locations created for the festival. When a bunch of old college friends/acquaintances come to town, their reasons, actions, and revealed secrets add them Annie's list of suspects.

The characters are interesting, likeable, and 3-dimensional. The author wrote them realistically with personality (or lack thereof, as it were for some of them), dimension, and emotion. I enjoyed the small town feel created and developed, and I felt like I was there assisting Annie figure out who had the means, motive, and opportunity. The story and mystery really pulled me in and kept me engaged. The death/murder mystery kept me guessing. I found the entire book to be well thought out with wonderful pacing.

I was provided 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:

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Thank you for supporting Sapphyria’s Books.

#BookReview ~ Steamed Secrets (Killer Coffee Cozy Mystery, Book 16) by Tonya Kappes #NewRelease #TonyaKappesBooks #CozyMystery

 

Steamed Secrets (Killer Coffee Cozy Mystery, Book 16) by Tonya Kappes

ASIN: ‎ B0D5BHQP3Y
Publisher: ‎ Tonya Kappes Books
Publication Date: ‎ January 26, 2025
Print Length: ‎ 209 pages

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Thank you for supporting Sapphyria’s Books.

About the Book:

Welcome to Honey Springs, where the gossip flows as smoothly as the coffee—and murder is the latest buzz.

When Roxy Bloom traded in her high-powered lawyer heels for cozy barista sneakers and a fresh start in her charming hometown, she never expected murder to darken her doorstep. But when Vanessa Hartman—a model with secrets to spare—turns up dead under suspicious circumstances, the Bean Hive Coffee Shop becomes the center of small-town whispers, and Roxy can’t resist stirring the pot.

With her trusty rescue pup Pepper at her side, Roxy dives headfirst into a swirling mystery of tangled relationships, jealous rivals, and one too many secrets steeping in the background. And just when the case gets hot enough to scald, Patrick Cane, the swoon-worthy man who stole her heart, is there with kisses and steadfast support to keep her grounded—if only Roxy could keep herself out of trouble.

As the Honey Springs Spring Festival lights up the town with laughter and charm, Roxy faces a parade of quirky suspects, a squawking parrot who just might hold the key, and a killer determined to keep their secrets buried. Can Roxy solve the mystery before the culprit skips town, or will her snooping put her back in a life she swore she left behind?

Perfect for fans of small-town cozies, sweet romance, and a dash of southern sass, Steamed Secrets will keep you turning pages faster than Roxy can serve up her famous lattes

My Review:

Steamed Secrets is the 16th book in the Killer Coffee Mystery Series. The book takes place during the Honey Springs Spring Festival. The Bean Hive and the rest of town are gearing up for the festivities when a blast from Roxie's past blows into town. Vanessa Hartman, Roxie's former college roommate turned model, suggested Honey Springs for a perfume campaign photoshoot, and here she is...Surprise!

When a murder taints the reunion and the festival, Roxie dons her lawyer's hat, her sleuthing cap, and her superhero cape. Her tasks are daunting but if anyone can unravel secrets, jealousy among suspects, and dissect a messy relationship or two, it's Roxie. I found this book to be exceptionally emotional as I followed Roxie on her latest investigation.

Steamed Secrets pulls you in and keeps you engaged. The mystery was well-written and kept me on my toes. I found myself continually guessing who the murderer could be throughout the story. Every time I thought I knew who the suspect was, something would happen or new evidence would appear, and I’d have to try and figure it out again. I love that in a mystery - fill the book full of twists and turns, red herrings, and deliberate misdirects so I have a tough time figuring everything out.

I enjoyed all the characters. 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, and the people.

I was provided 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: