#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

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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.

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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:

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#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:

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