Cozy Mystery Book Review ~ Seven Deadly Sequins (Bonnie & Clyde Mysteries #2) by Julie Anne Lindsey @JulieALindsey #CozyMystery

Bonnie & Clyde are at it again!

When the death of a local baker threatens to shred the fabric of their lovely town, this dynamic sleuthing duo bolts into action. The results will leave you in stitches.

It’s summertime in beautiful Bliss, Georgia, and while second chance dress shop owner, Bonnie Balfour, would prefer to spend her time redesigning gowns for the upcoming Founder’s Day parade, her grandma, Gigi, is too hot under the collar to concentrate. It seems Gigi’s former friend is using her recipe to sell cobbler at the local festivities, and she’s claiming Gigi’s treat as her own!

Things go from uncomfortable to downright ugly when Gigi confronts her friend publicly about the unseamly pattern of behavior, only to later find the woman dead! With Gigi’s prints on the murder weapon, and dozens of material witnesses to their earlier scrap, Gigi cuts straight to the top of Sheriff Wright’s suspect list.

Now, Bonnie and her kitty companion, Clyde, must don their sleuthing hats once more.

To mend Gigi’s reputation and deliver justice for the victim, Bonnie must lace together a string of clues about what really happened that night. Will she wind up on the killer’s cutting board in the process?

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58106992-seven-deadly-sequins
Amazon https://amzn.to/3FSGgrb

ASIN: ‎ B094RFQ3M8
Publisher: ‎ Cozy Queen Publishing LLC (October 15, 2021)
Publication Date: ‎ October 15, 2021
Print Length: ‎ 198 pages

My Review:

Bonnie Balfour's grandmother, Gigi, has moved back to Bliss, Georgia. All is not right in Gigi's world though when she discovers one of her friends may stolen an heirloom recipe. When Gigi confronts the baker and then tries to confront her again later the same day, Gigi finds her friend dead and herself the prime suspect. Bonnie knows that although Gigi is upset about the theft, Gigi is not a murderer. When Bonnie again thinks the police process is rolling too slowly, she begins to take matters into her own hands. As Bonnie uncovers clues, she realizes more is at stake and discovers she's again in a killer's crosshairs.

I loved Seven Deadly Sequins. 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 and the pacing is perfect. 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 Seven Deadly Sequins and can't wait for the next book.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

My Rating:

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:

Release Day #Review ~ Blossoms, Barbeque, & Blackmail (Camper & Criminals #20) by Tonya Kappes ~ #CozyMystery #TonyaKappes

 

The last thing Normal needs is Dottie Swagger or Mary Elizabeth Moberly as the Ms. Blossom Festival Queen.

I thought I had my hands full when Dottie Swaggert and Mary Elizabeth Moberly entered the Ms. Blossom Queen Beauty Pageant for seniors but when I witnessed a fight at the festival between Carrie Patillo and Jason Dresser, Carrie's daughter's accused killer, I knew Jason was wrongfully accused for the murder and set up.

How was I going to prove it before the trial started?

Easy. Gather the Laundry Club Ladies and use our unique sleuthing skills. Right?

Wrong!

After we uncovered some evidence of blackmail and head on over to tell Jason what we found out. . .we found out something alright. The true killer got to Jason first.

If that wasn't enough to deal with, Bobby Ray Bond found his real mama. With her impending arrival, we Laundry Club Ladies have our hands full with Blossoms, BBQ, & Blackmail.

Welcome to Normal where NOTHING is normal!

Add to Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58455651-blossoms-barbeque-blackmail

Learn More on Amazon https://amzn.to/3zPu6eQ

ASIN: ‎ B09885GTYG

Publication Date: ‎ July 29, 2021

Print Length: ‎ 138 pages

My Review:

Blossoms, Barbeque, & Blackmail is another great book in the Campers & Criminals series. The mystery is exciting, intriguing, and kept me guessing. The author has done a wonderful job keeping each book fresh and original. This may be book 20 but it's new, engaging, and a wonderful read.

The author introduced potential suspects, providing the reader with means, motive, and opportunities for each. Some of the suspects were much stronger than others and it Mae and the Laundry Club Ladies some deep thinking to get to the bottom of Jason's murder. 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 and the Laundry Club unravel the murder, shocking events are revealed, suspects are added, as well as removed, from the list, and danger abounds. We are also get a bit more familiar with Tucker Pyle, a new ranger in Normal. I enjoyed getting to know more about him.

As with the rest of the books in the series, the mystery isn't the only thing going on in Normal, Kentucky. Due to recent events in the past couple of books, the dynamic in Blossoms, Barbeque, & Blackmail is slightly off. It doesn't make the book any less of a masterpiece, I just noticed a subtle difference. As she does in all her books, Tonya Kappes did a wonderful job of weaving everything together between the murder, the pageant, and the other side stories.

There are twists and turns in Blossoms, Barbeque, & Blackmail. Be prepared for rollercoaster situations, sadness, and extreme joy as you read through book 20. I'm really excited to see what happens in book 21.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

My Rating:

#Book #Review ~ A Time to Swill (Chloe Jackson, Sea Glass Saloon Mystery #2) by Sherry Harris #CozyMystery @SHarrisAuthor @KensingtonBooks

  

Saloon owner Chloe Jackson is after a murderer with skeletons in the closet--and one on a boat.

BAD TO THE BONE

Chloe loves her new life pouring beers and mixing cocktails at the Sea Glass Saloon in the Florida Panhandle town of Emerald Cove. But on the job, the only exercise she gets is walking from one end of the bar to the other, so in the mornings she loves to run on the beach. On this morning's foggy run, she spots a sailboat washed up on a sandbar. Hearing a cry, she climbs aboard the beached vessel to investigate and finds not only a mewling kitten--but a human skeleton in the cabin.

The skeleton is tied back to Chloe's friend Ralph, whose wife disappeared on a sailboat with three other people twelve years ago. Believing his wife was lost at sea, Ralph remarried. Now he finds himself a murder suspect. Chloe is determined to find out who's been up to some skulduggery, but her sleuthing will lead her into some rough waters and some bone-chilling revelations...

ASIN : B08MBFK131
Publisher : Kensington Books
Publication date : July 27, 2021
Print length : 235 pages

Purchase from Amazon
Add to Goodreads

My Review:

The second book in the Chloe Jackson Sea Glass Saloon Mystery series by Sherry Harris is here!! As a lover of all things Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mysteries, there was no way I was missing out on this new series by Sherry Harris. I was not disappointed at all. Chloe Jackson 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 is swept out to sea in a washed-up sailboat, she soon learns is tied back to long ago mysterious disappearance. Her dramatic rescue is only the beginning as events unfold, history is dredged up, wounds reopen, and murder accusations fly.

Chloe is starting to settle in at her new home, new place of employment, and with her new friends. She and Vivi have reached an understanding and while they aren't besties, they are getting along. Chloe has just returned to Florida after packing up her life in Chicago. Chloe's discovery on the beach leads to some harsh realities for some of the townsfolk and a reopening of almost healed wounds. For some, closure. For others, the reappearance of old accusations. For a few, both.

This story 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 a theme threaded through it a lot of people have, are, or will work through at some point in their lives. Realism - that's where it's at for me in any book.

A Time to Swill is a great sophomore book in this new 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 the entire story as each scene played out. A fantastic story, a potential 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 to read.

My  Rating:

#CozyMystery Book #Review ~ The Cider Shop Rules (A Cider Shop Mystery #3) by Julie Anne Lindsey @JulieALindsey @KensingtonBooks

 

Autumn in Blossom Valley means pumpkin patches are ripe and Winona Mae Montgomery and her Granny Smythe's cider shop is flourishing. But with this season comes...

A FATAL HARVEST

The Fall Festival is in full swing. Civil War reenactors from three counties are partaking in Blossom Valley's tribute to John Brown. Blue Ridge Mountain foliage is in full bloom. And best of all is Jacob Potter's pumpkin farm where his hay rides, piglet races, pumpkin picking and corn maze are time-honored draws for locals and tourists alike. That's why it's such a shock when Mr. Potter is found dead, hidden under a tarp in the back of Winnie's pickup truck. This certainly betrays Potter's reputation as one of the town's most popular citizens. Fortunately, when it comes to solving a murder, no one has a patch on Winnie. Now, all eyes are on her to do it. Unfortunately, that includes those of the killer who'll do anything to keep an orchard full of secrets buried.

ASIN : B08MBD78KS
Publisher : Kensington Books (July 27, 2021)
Publication date : July 27, 2021
Language : English
File size : 1087 KB
Text-to-Speech : Enabled
Screen Reader : Supported
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
X-Ray : Not Enabled
Word Wise : Enabled
Print length : 243 pages

Purchase from Amazon https://amzn.to/2QYs0J4

Add to Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55841938-the-cider-shop-rules

My Review:

A solid 5-star third book in the Cider Shop Mystery series by Julie Anne Lindsey. I love the book so much I read it twice (April 28-29, 2021 the first time and May 8, 2021 the second time) and pre-ordered the paperback.

Fall has arrived in Blossom Valley and the town decked out in autumn fun. There is a Civil War reenactment taking place, bringing all sorts of newcomers to take part in the festivities. Potter's Pumpkin Farm is bursting with families participating in the hayrides, corn maze, and picking out the perfect pumpkins. When beloved Mr. Potter's body is found in the back of Winnie's truck everyone is shocked. In front of Sheriff Colton Wise, a familiar citizen confronts Winnie with the expectation Winnie will investigate, as she's done in the past. Mr. Potter's murder isn't the only issue to crop up in Blossom Valley. Colton and Winnie still have an issue they deal with from the past, threatening their lives and possibly the lives of those around them. 

The Cider Shop Rules is a wonderful third book in the Cider Shop Mysteries. The mystery was solid, exciting, and kept me on my toes. I enjoyed the small-town setting with the main character living with her granny on an apple orchard. Winnie is a fantastic, down-to-earth heroine who wants the wedding being held at the orchard to go off without a hitch. Unfortunately, when Winnie’s ex, Hank, is noticed arguing with the groom, who is later found dead outside the reception, he becomes suspect number one. Knowing he would never arbitrarily take another person’s life, Winnie begins looking into the bride, the groom, and anyone who would want the groom dead.

I loved The Cider Shop Rules as much as I loved Pulp Friction and Apple Cider Slaying. The murder isn’t the only theme in the book, giving the book a lot of realism. The romance build-up between Winnie and the sheriff is slow and exciting and I had all the feels while I read The Cider Shop Rules. I love the chemistry and the ease in which the author is developing their potential relationship. The addition of Colton's younger brother, Blake, was everything I could have ever hope for and enjoyed his character. We were also provided 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 The Cider Shop Rules and can't wait for the next book.

I was provided an e-copy of the book to read but I also ordered the paperback for my bookshelf.

My Rating: