#BookReview ~ Dashing Through the Show by Cindy Goyette #CozyMystery

 

Dashing Through the Show

by Cindy Goyette

Book Details:

ASIN: ‎ B0DHWBN8X6
Publisher: ‎ Level Best Books
Publication date: ‎ June 16, 2026
Print length: ‎ 270 pages

Amazon

Goodreads  

About the Book:

Murder is under the mistletoe in the peaceful island community of Orca Cove. Holiday plans are put on hold to give attention to the grand opening of the Wiggle Butt Manor Agility Course. Special guest, Bently, is supposed to dazzle on the stage, but the locals have had enough of his snooty trainer, Miles Collins. So has his killer. When Charlie Calderbank finds Miles’ body in the back of her moving van, it becomes the season of giving…alibis, that is. Her hopes for a Christmas romance are dashed when the local hot cop is forced to pay more attention to the clues leading to her door than the chemistry that simmers between them.

Tainted treats, a widow who raises a toast along with a few eyebrows, a groomer with a grudge, an angry Santa Claus, a nosey reporter, and a canine custody hearing have Charlie spinning in every direction, juggling clues, dogs, and blizzards. She must identify the killer, or she’ll spend her Christmas behind bars.

My Review:

Dashing Through the Show is the Second Wiggle Butt Manor Mystery. Charlie Calderbank is morning to Orca Cove permanently. Her aunt’s opening her Wiggle Butt Manor Agility Course and it’s a town affair. Their special guest is Bently, a champion agility course participant. His owner, however, has managed to offende everyone in Orca Cove, it seems.

When Miles’ body is found in the back of Charlie’s moving van, the local cop focuses on her for the absolute wrong reasons. Knowing she had nothing to do with Miles’ demise, Charlie works her way through everyone who has had a beef with him. Hopefully she can ferret out the suspect before she’s accused of a crime she didn’t commit.

What a tangled web woven between the pages of Dashing Through the Show. The story went in directions I wasn’t anticipating. The author kept me on my toes from start to finish. The who-dun-it was hidden quite well in this fast paced cozy.

My Rating:

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#BookReview: Cat Got Your Secrets: A Kitty Couture Mystery, Book 3 by Julie Chase ~ #CozyMystery

Cat Got Your Secrets: A Kitty Couture Mystery by Julie Chase

Cat Got Your Secrets 

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

Amazon

Goodreads

  

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:

Cat Got Your Secrets is the third book in the Kitty Couture series and the book, and series is amazing. I love the author's writing style and the conversational tone with which she writes each book. The  characters in this series are a hoot.  

Upon delivery of a pet treat order, Lacy 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 most of the time. 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. 

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:

Review previously posted on Sapphyria's Books but has been updated.

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#BookReview: Body on Baker Street (A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery, Book 2) by Vicki Delany ~ #CozyMystery #SherlockHolmes

Body on Baker Street

A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery

by Vicki Delany

Book Information:

A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery, Book 2

Cozy Mystery

Crooked Lane Books 

September 12, 2017

Hardcover: 304 pages

ISBN-13: 978-1683312994

E-Book ASIN: B06XW3K7F5

Amazon

About the Book:

Gemma Doyle and Jayne Wilson are busy managing the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium on Baker Street and adjoining Mrs. Hudson’s Tea Room in anticipation of the store’s upcoming book signing with the illustrious Renalta Van Markoff, author of the controversial Hudson and Holmes mystery series. But during the author Q&A session, dedicated Sherlockian Donald Morris verbally attacks Renalta and her series for disgracing Sherlock’s legacy, only to be publicly humiliated when the author triumphantly lashes back and gains the upper hand. That is until Renalta collapses on the table―dead.

Donald insists he didn’t do it and pleads to his friends to clear his name. Fortunately, Gemma and Jayne have no shortage of suspects between author’s bullied personal assistant, her frustrated publicist, the hapless publisher, a handsome rare book dealer, an obsessively rabid fan, and a world of other Sherlock enthusiasts with strong objections to Renalta’s depiction of the Great Detective. It’s up to the shrewd sleuthing duo to eliminate the impossible and deduce the truth before the West London police arrest an innocent man in Body on Baker Street the second Sherlock Homes Bookshop mystery perfect for fans of Miranda James and Kate Carlisle.

My Review:

Body on Baker Street is the great second book in Vicki Delany's Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series. When Renalta Van Markoff, a famous author, drops all of her engagements and wants a book signing at the last minute, Gemma makes it happen. She puts up posters, spreads the signing via word of mouth, and makes sure to have several of the authors books on hand and ready to go. The town is excited to have such a spectacular author visiting them - well, most of the town.  After Donald Morris and Renalta get into a verbal sparring match after Renalta's speech, Renalta falls face town on the table during the subsequent book signing event. Donald is the prime suspect having not only threatened the author to her face but also due to spreading his views around prior to Renalta's arrival.  Gemma knows that Donald didn't do it but proving that is a bit harder than she anticipated.  

 The Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series is wonderful and keeps getting better.  I really liked book one but I love book 2. Full of quirky characters, red herrings, and twists and turns, I was engaged and sitting on the edge of my seat throughout the entire novel. There are multiple threads developed within the mystery that seem unrelated then, masterfully, everything comes together into an "A-ha" moment.  I enjoyed every bit of Body on Baker Street.

Gemma is painfully observant but unlike in book one, it isn't to the point that she tends to alienate herself and the people around her. She does, perhaps do it on purpose when one specific police officer is involved though. Her blunt manner isn't intended to be malicious most of the time and that's what makes her character quirky and lovable. She pulls some hair-brained schemes that put her in a lot of danger but ultimately the bad guy/gal is caught. Our cozy mystery heroine lacks common sense sometimes but it all works out in the end.

The supporting characters really round out this great cozy mystery. Gemma's best friend Jayne is her reluctant partner-in-crime, but she has Gemma's back regardless of the situation. Ryan is one of the police officers assigned to the case involving the death of  Renalta Van Markoff. He and Gemma have a history that sometimes gets in the way of the investigation. The chemistry between them is definitely there, even if the pair try not to acknowledge those feelings. I hope to see a bit more development between the two of them in the next book. They don't have to get right back into a relationship but I'd like to feel by the end of the book that they are make headway. I like them together and don't mind romances that don't take over the book but are there in the background. It makes the characters more realistic to me.

The plot was laid out well and the character development and world building continued on nicely. I did NOT suspect who was behind everything or the reason. The author did a great job keeping the suspect under wraps and bringing in other contenders who fit the bill.

I enjoyed Body on Baker Street and can't wait to see what Gemma gets involved in next.

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:

Review previously posted on Sapphyria's Books but has been updated.

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#BookReview ~ Candle With Care: A Magic Candle Shop Mystery by Valona Jones ~ Paranormal Cozy Mystery #CozyMystery

Candle With Care: A Magic Candle Shop Mystery by Valona Jones

Paranormal Cozy Mystery

4th in Series Setting - Georgia

Publisher: Muddle House (February 11, 2025)

Print length: ‎ 290 pages

Digital ASIN: ‎ B0DT2GB9BD

Purchase Link: Amazon

About Candle With Care:

Amateur sleuth and candle maker Tabby Winslow and her twin sister, Sage, are finally making a go of The Book and Candle Shop. It seems like the only heat they’ll feel this June is from the strong sunshine in Savannah, Georgia. Then their acquaintance Detective Sharmila Belfor is gravely injured in a vehicular assault and is in a coma. Cops turn the city upside down searching for the offender, keying in on the detective’s boyfriend Herbert R Ellis, her felon cousin, and her case files. Fearing the police are looking at the wrong people, Herbert begs Tabby to investigate. He knows what most don’t, that Tabby has psychic abilities that allow her to home in on emotions and motives. Since he’s a lifelong friend of Dr. Quig Quigsly, Tabby’s fiancé, she agrees. But before she finds answers, Sage’s former coworker is murdered, and her twin pleads with Tabby to find the killer. With dead ends at every turn, Tabby fears the city’s troubles are paranormal in origin. By investigating the crimes, she risks exposure of the way her family manipulates energy and uses other psychic talents. Keeping a low profile is essential. Meanwhile, Quig’s parents are throwing them a black-tie engagement party in two weeks, and Tabby is burning the candle at both ends. Can Tabby end the crime wave and protect her loved ones before she is quenched?

My Review:

Candle with Care is the fourth wonderful book in the Magic Candle Shop Mysteries. Tabby and Sage are running The Book and Candle Shop. Sage is also running a farmer's market type event in front of their store to sell plants. "Sage of Plants" has been a huge hit. Amid their success though, is a town fraught with danger. One of their detectives is a assaulted in a what appears to be attempted vehicular homicide and a dear friend of Sage's is murdered.

I love the characters in this series. I enjoyed both Tabby and Sage, as well as Quiq, along with the rest of the characters. The story was enjoyable, and the cover and the blurb got me onboard. The story, fun characters, and mystery kept me engaged. The murder mystery was twisted, well-thought out, and complex. This series is amazing.

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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Thank you for supporting Reviews by Saph.

#BookReview ~ Cookies, Corpses & the Deadly Haunt (Haunted House Flippers Inc., Book 1) by Rachael Stapleton @RaquelleJaxson #Halloween

Cookies, Corpses & the Deadly Haunt (Haunted House Flippers Inc.) by Rachael Stapleton

Cookies, Corpses & the Deadly Haunt (Haunted House Flippers Inc.)

Cozy Mystery

1st in Series 

Self Published 

Print Length: 164 pages 

ASIN: B074TY4ZXD

Amazon

About the Book:

House flippers Jack & Juniper agree to lend and help prep their latest purchase—The Doctors House—an old Victorian mansion to act as the eerie setting for the town’s Halloween bash, they’re expecting to find missing floor boards, and pesky bats, not the ghostly specter of the murdered Doctors Wife.

But when the head of the council is found stuffed in a trunk in the attic, it appears history is repeating.

As June and the team, carry on with party preparations, they unravel a century of family secrets, whispers of lunacy—and the number one suspect goes on the run. But the victim’s family insists that the ball must go on, even with a killer on the loose. With Halloween fast approaching, June sees the woman in white and wonders if keeping the killer out was ever really a possibility. Now she’s desperate to unmask the killer before the Annual Halloween Bash turns into even more of a deadly haunt…

My Review:

Cookies, Corpses, and the Deadly Haunt is the first book in a new series by Rachael Stapleton. The premise is two exes who've built a very successful house flipping company. Jack and Juniper have just purchased a mansion in Jack's home town and are working on getting the mansion fixed up and ready for resale when they are asked to host a Halloween bash. It seems that the house is haunted by the wife of a doctor murder many years ago and stuffed in a trunk in the attic. Jack and Juniper give the green light to the bash and then a woman is found dead in the trunk.

As the murder investigations heats up, another body is found that has Juniper questioning whether the town should hold a Halloween bash at all. However, the family insists the Halloween bash continue. When the ghost of the doctor's wife appears outside during the party, and another person is hurt, Jack and Juniper can't help but wonder if the legend is true. What transpires leads to the exposure of a lifetime of family secrets in a town where everyone knows everyone else and some lives will never be the same.

The author did a great job with the character development and world building within Cookies, Corpses, and the Deadly Haunt. Jack, Juniper, and Juniper's friend Pike are very down-to-earth people with successful businesses that they enjoy. All of the characters interact well, even those that may be considered hard to get along with. The secondary characters are well-positioned within the pages and play their parts well.

Part of the story does dance around a love triangle but it's not overwhelming or intrusive on the story. It's a nice addition used by the author to give the book realism. Many people have multiple suitors so it's not far fetched to think our cozy mystery heroines wouldn't be the same. For those concerned about triangles, there is a nice ending to the book and, while I rooted for both men in Juniper's life, I like where the author took her character.

There are couple minor issues I had with the book, though they didn't really bother me - they were just things I noticed. There is an inconsistent point of view - the book flip-flops between 1st and third person. Also, some of the plot points were inconsistent. I can't describe the biggest one here because it would be a potential spoiler near the end of the book.

Cookies, Corpses, and the Deadly Haunt is a fabulous cozy mystery. The plot was unique and interesting, keeping me engaged from the start. I enjoyed all of the characters, they were written with realism and are easy to connect to while reading. The story is fast paced and moves along nicely, not getting bogged down with useless filler or uninteresting details.

This book is from my private collection. 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”?

Amazon

Goodreads

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:

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Saph’s Cozy Corner.

#Review ~ Deadly to the Core (A Cider House Mystery) by Joyce Tremel ~ #CozyMysteryReview @JoyceTremel #CozyMystery

Deadly to the Core (A Cider House Mystery) by Joyce Tremel

Book Details:

Deadly to the Core (A Cider House Mystery)

Cozy Mystery

1st in Series

Setting - Pennsylvania

Crooked Lane Books (January 16, 2024)

Hardcover: ‎ 250 pages

ISBN-10: ‎ 1639105433

ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1639105434

Digital ASIN: ‎ B0C2P4QB9T


About Deadly to the Core:

Perfect for fans of Amanda Flower and Julie Anne Lindsey, when Kate Mulligan inherits her great uncle’s fruit orchard, she quickly realizes that apples aren’t the only thing that can have rotten cores.

After losing her husband in a terrible car crash, thirty-five-year-old Kate is left to pick up the pieces of her life alone. Although she has physically recovered, she worries her spirit never will. But when she learns that she has inherited a fruit orchard in a small town just outside Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, from her great uncle Stan, she takes this as an opportunity ripe for the picking. Kate knew immediately what to do with it: open a cider house. Her hopeful plans fall far from the tree when she finds the body of the orchard manager, Carl Randolph, leaving her to figure out who is at the core of this murder.

She had been in correspondence with Carl, who had agreed with her brilliant idea of opening a cider house. But not everyone is so quick to buy what she was selling—Uncle Stan’s lawyer, Robert Larabee, paints a less rosy financial outlook of the orchard’s past, present, and future.

Kate discovers that Carl had large, unexplained deposits to his bank account and it becomes clear that either he was blackmailing someone, or someone was paying him to keep quiet. Meanwhile, Kate and her neighbors receive offers to buy their property from a mysterious buyer. And there’s more than meets the eye with the neighboring orchard owner, Daniel Martinez, although Kate can’t quite put her finger on if it’s sweet or sour.

Will she be able to pick out the bad apple among the bunch before it’s too late?


My Review:

Deadly to the Core is the first book in the Cider House Mystery series.

Kate Mulligan is back in Orchardville, PA after inheriting an orchard from her late great uncle Stan. Having lost her husband previously, this change comes at a time when Kate is ready to get out of Dodge and start a new chapter in her life. The pain of loss is still at the surface but a new venture running an orchard and cider house will keep her busy, both mind and body. Things really heat up in the orchard when Kate finds the body of her orchard manager, Carl, dead in his cottage.

I really enjoyed Deadly to the Core. I was able to sympathize and empathize with Kate as she navigated the start of this new life with the pain of past events. She's a strong character and the author created and developed her well. I enjoyed the descriptive content and world building. The book begins a little slowly as the author builds up the story, at first books in a series tend to do, but really takes off after the death of Carl.

I'm excited to see where the author takes Kate next.

I was provided a copy of this book.

My Rating:

Visit the Author:

Website www.joycetremel.com
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13746162.Joyce_Tremel


Purchase Link:


Amazon

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#CozyMystery #Review ~ Pall in the Family (A Family Fortune Mystery, #1) by Dawn Eastman #PallInTheFamily #FamilyFortune

ASIN: ‎ B00A6WV6S2
Publisher: ‎ Berkley
Publication date: ‎ August 6, 2013
Language: ‎ English
Print length: ‎ 240 pages

Goodreads

Amazon

About the Book:

The aptly named Crystal Haven is the destination for tourists seeking psychics, séances, and the promise of contacting the spirit world. In this small western Michigan town, everyone knows the Fortune family. Rose is gifted with tarot card readings. Her sister, Vi, is a self-proclaimed pet psychic. And Rose’s daughter Clyde is…

A cop. A cop on leave from Ann Arbor, more specifically, who’s come home to kooky Crystal Haven to reevaluate her life. Mom and Aunt Vi can’t wait for Clyde to finally embrace her own psychic gifts and join the family business. Clyde would prefer the low-stress lifestyle of a dog walker and the low-key company of her nephew, Seth.

But when a local psychic is killed, leaving behind a traumatized Shih Tzu, it seems to be in the cards for Clyde to get involved. With her old flame Mac leading the investigation, that may prove awkward. Whether she uses her skills as a cop or her long-denied psychic abilities, it’s up to Clyde to divine a killer’s identity before someone else suffers more misfortune.

My Review:

Pall in the Family the first book in A Family Fortune Mysteries. Based in western Michigan, the book focuses on Crystal Haven, a tourist destination catering to those who seek psychics, fortune telling, Tarot readings, and other methods of communicating with the dead. 

Clyde is on leave from her job as a cop in Ann Arbor and finds herself back home in Crystal Haven. The stay is temporary while Clyde tries to figure out what her next steps should be and where they should take her. Back into her family's business is not that place. The death of a local psychic pulls her right back into the job she left and family business she's not interested in joining.

I really liked Clyde. She's a wonderful character with quirky but loveable family connections. She isn't perfect, she makes mistakes, and the author made her completed relatable. Clyde is strong and competent as she makes her way through the clues and suspects in this book. Her parents, nephew, aunt, and the police officers are spectacular and entertaining. I enjoyed the possibility of a second-chance romance that was threaded through the pages.

I read this book in 1 day. I sat down to read a couple chapters and realized that time had passed as quickly as the chapters I'd finished reading. I was absorbed in the Clyde's life - in Ann Arbor and Crystal Haven. I loved reading about her every interaction as she scoured the town for clues. The author did a great job creating characters with depth and emotion. I can't wait for the next book to come in for me at the library.

I borrowed this book from the library.

My Rating:

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#Book #Review ~ The Day Job is Murder (McKinley Mysteries, Book 1) by Carolyn Arnold ~ #CozyMystery

The bad guys aren’t the only ones on his radar…

For Albany PD homicide detective Sean McKinley, catching killers is the easy part of his job. Working next to his beautiful partner, Sara Cain, is what’s difficult. It might have something to do with the fact that he’s fallen in love with her, though. Fortunately, she feels the same way about him. But she’s convinced they should just be friends.

If only there was some way to change her mind…

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Read My Review:

The Day Job is Murder by Carolyn Arnold
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Day Job is Murder is more of an unrequited love story than an actual mystery. Sean and Sara are partners on the Albany police force. They are in love with one another but Sara has convinced herself and Sean to only be friends. Co-workers and romance don’t always work out. There is a crime committed in the novella and Sara and Sean work hard to solve it. However, this is more of a laying of a foundation for the series.

Partway through the novella, Sean is made aware of the death of someone from his past. As Sean reconciles the death, his grief, and his regrets, something unexpected occurs. Something life-changing for Sean and potentially allowing a shift in the relationship between Sean and Sara. While the ending was not realistic to me, overall the book kept me interested.

The Day Job is Murder is a short, cute novella paving the way for a multi-book novella series. The story is simple, easy to read, and fast paced. We get history of how Sean and Sara met and history surrounding Sean’s relationship with the deceased person. I was engaged in the story, interested in the dynamics between Sean and Sara, and empathetic to Sean’s regrets over the death of someone he knew. I look forward to reading the next novella.

I purchased my copy of this book from Amazon.

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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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