#Review ~ A Bean to Die For (A Coffee Lover's Mystery) by Tara Lush #CozyMystery #TaraLush #ABeanToDieFor

A Bean to Die For (A Coffee Lover's Mystery)

by Tara Lush

Cozy Mystery

4th in Series

Setting - Florida

Publisher: ‎ Crooked Lane Books 3

Publish Date: January 9, 2024

Hardcover: ‎ 288 pages

ISBN-10: ‎ 163910545X

ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1639105458

Digital ASIN: ‎ B0C1YBSBXZ

About the Book:

Perfect for fans of Cleo Coyle and Lucy Burdette, reporter-turned-barista Lana Lewis is back on the case when a body is dug up in the community garden.

Lana Lewis is brewing up new concoctions at Perkatory, a popular café in Devil’s Beach, when she decides she wants to try her hand at growing her own coffee. She secures a gardening plot in the community garden, thanks to her father and the garden’s owner, Darla. Darla’s list of rules is long, but that doesn’t stop someone from leaving Jack Daggett’s body amongst the gardening plots.

Jack, an environmental activist, had been banned from the garden previously, because of his many fights with Darla about organic produce. Lana promises her boyfriend, police chief Noah, that she’s going to stay out of this case, having been too involved in previous cases. But when she learns that Jack died from an accidental overdose, and Darla is the top suspect because of her shady past, Lana can't help but poke around in an attempt to clear Darla's name.

As Lana dives deeper into the case, she learns that Jack had more enemies than she realized. When Darla turns up dead, Lana has to turn up the heat on her investigation. With Lana on the case, it won’t be long before someone spills the beans to crack this case wide open. But will she able to find the killer before they strike again?

My Review:

We are back in Devil's Beach, Florida with A Bean to Die For, book four in the Coffee Lover's Mystery series!

A Bean to Die For is a wonderful fourth book in this series. Lana is moving into harvesting her own Florida-grown coffee beans, and she knows the perfect place. The community garden is a strictly enforced farmer's market type growing area. Lana manages to secure a plot with the help of her father and the garden president, Darla. Upon arrival to view and assess her plot, the body of Jack Daggett, local citizen and fight instigator, is found dead among the previous tenant's tomato plants. Darla is the number one suspect due to a past that still haunts her. Lana gets involved to help keep Darla from going to prison. What Lana finds is a laundry list of people with grievances against Jack. 

I really enjoyed A Bean to Die For. The set-up of the mystery was carefully planned out, the number of suspects kept me guessing, and the sleuthing done in a way I would expect a former journalist to be able execute. Lana is a wonderful heroine, her father quirky, and the rest of characters well-developed. I loved the setting and the way the author described everything from the inside of the coffeeshop to the beach. Being able to envision the story as I read along is paramount to my total enjoyment and A Bean to Die For by Tara Lush knocked it out of the park.

I was provided a copy of this book.

My Rating:

Visit Tara Lush

FACEBOOK:

https://www.facebook.com/tamlush

WEBSITE: 

https://taralush.com

INSTAGRAM: 

https://www.instagram.com/the.book.lush/

GOODREADS: 

https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/20274256.Tara_Lush

Purchase Links:

Amazon

This blog uses affiliate links.

#Book #Review ~ Stalking Around the Christmas Tree (Christmas Tree Farm Mystery, Book #4) by Jacqueline Frost ~ #CozyMystery @JulieALindsey @crookedlanebks

Tis the season to solve a murder—and innkeeper Holly White knows she’ll have to make her list and check it twice if she wants to catch the killer in the fourth Christmas Tree Farm mystery from bestselling author Jacqueline Frost.

Book Details:

ASIN: ‎ B0BSKZ1YNV

Publisher: ‎ Crooked Lane Books

Publication date: ‎ October 17, 2023

Order from Amazon

Add to Goodreads

About the Book:

For inn keeper Holly White, Christmas time in Mistletoe, Maine, is the ultimate holiday gift. Business at the Reindeer Games Inn is booming, her wedding to Sheriff Evan Gray is nearly here, and the annual parade is about to begin. The town is lucky to have another gift this year with the state’s ballet company staying for several performances of The Nutcracker. But disaster strikes when Tiffany, the lead ballerina, shows up dead on a float during the parade, the Rat King’s mask nearby. Holly will have to spruce up her sleuthing skills if she wants to catch the killer before Christmas—and her wedding day.

Immediately, Holly discovers that Tiffany had more than a few secrets. She finds out that the star of the show had a super fan that no one knows anything about. And the show’s understudy slips some other intriguing information Holly’s way: not only was Tiffany secretly seeing someone romantically, but there seems to be more than one rat in this company. When Holly discovers a secret passage leading to Tiffany’s dressing room, with footprints leading out; she wonders if this is evidence of a secret lover—or a stalking killer.

With an impending snowstorm and the ballet company on the way out of town, Holly must act quickly if she wants to find the person responsible for this terrible murder. Will she be able to save Christmas—or will her investigation turn cold like the weather?

My Review:

Stalking Around the Christmas Tree is the fourth book in the Christmas Tree Farm Mysteries by Jacqueline Frost. The mystery was solid, exciting, and kept me on my toes. I enjoyed the small-town setting and the main location of this book being a Christmas Tree Farm named Reindeer Games.

Holly is a fantastic, down-to-earth heroine. She's now the innkeeper at the new B&B on Reindeer Games' property. This year’s special guests are a ballet troupe. The state’s ballet company is performing The Nutcracker, as well as taking part in the holiday parade. When one of the ballerina’s is found dead on the float and an incriminating clue left behind, Holly, once again, dons her sleuthing cap. She has a killer to reveal. 

I loved Stalking Around the Christmas Tree. The murder isn’t the only theme in the book, giving the book realism. The romance between Holly and Evan, the sheriff, doesn't overshadow the mystery. I love their chemistry.

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. The author provided excellent imagery, character development, and a great story. I really enjoyed Slashing Through the Snow and highly recommend the entire series. 

I was provided a copy of this story to read.

My Rating:

#Review ~ Live and Let Pie (A Bakeshop Mystery, Book 9) by Ellie Alexander #CozyMystery @ellielovesbooks @StMartinsPress

 

Live and Let Pie

A Bakeshop Mystery, Book 9

Ellie Alexander

Publisher: ‎ St. Martin's Paperbacks; Reissue edition (December 31, 2018)

Mass Market Paperback: ‎ 304 pages

ISBN-10: ‎ 1250159393

ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1250159397

Amazon

Goodreads

Life is sweet once you step into Torte, everybody's favorite small-town bakeshop. But what happens when it becomes the scene of a crime?

About the Book:

The heat is on for pastry chef, family business operator, and unlikely sleuth Jules Capshaw. Just when she thought she could enjoy some time away from the kitchen, Jules manages to discover a skull during a picnic by the lake. As if unearthing remains that may be connected to a missing-persons case from the 1960s isn't enough on her plate, Jules must contend with the unsolved matter of her own marriage while her estranged husband Carlos sails the open seas, awaiting a verdict. Then there's Jules's bitter landlord Edgar, who is intent on making a sweet deal on a vacant lot down the block from Torte--until he turns up dead. If only Jules could find a recipe that would let her bake her cake and eat it, too...

My Review:

Live and Let Pie is book 9 in the Bakeshop Mystery series. Featuring the continued expansion of Torte, the discovery of a skull in a long-cold missing-persons case, and the real estate war for a piece of vacant property, Jules and the town of Ashland are busy. When the owner of the vacant land is found murdered, Jules becomes embroiled in a haunting disappearance from the past and a chilling present-day murder. 

The world building continues as new events take shape 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, 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 mysteries and whether they were connected or not. 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. 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.

My review copy was a paperback I purchased from Amazon.

My Rating:

#CozyMystery #Review ~ Questions, Quarrels, & Quandary (A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery Series, Book 32) by Tonya Kappes

 

Questions, Quarrels, & Quandary, A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery Series Book 32, invites you back to the heart of Kentucky's Daniel Boone National Forest. 

The Cowgirl Campers, an all-women's vintage camping club, roll into the Happy Trails Campground with their quaint campers, ready to indulge in the annual 127 yard sale and antique treasure hunting. But amidst the cozy camaraderie, a chilling event shatters the tranquility. Local woman Etta Hardgrove, a consignor at the Tough Nickel thrift shop, catches the eye of a Cowgirl Camper with her distinctive jewelry. But when Etta is found dead, the Campers swiftly become suspects, mired in a town teeming with those who harbored ill-will against Etta. The mystery deepens, and no one can be trusted. 

Meanwhile, campground owner Mae and her partner Hank have their hands full. Hank is preoccupied with a missing teenager's case while Mae is entangled in wedding plans and premarital counseling that she's not particularly invested in, much to the dismay of her friend Mary Elizabeth. As whispers of suspicion turn towards the nomadic Cowgirl Campers, Mae, Dottie, and the intrepid Laundry Club Ladies embark on a mission to unravel the truth behind Etta's untimely death. They dig deep into Etta's past and scrutinize the traveling campers, all to ensure the safety of their beloved Normal, Kentucky. 

From yard sales to murder trails, "Questions, Quarrels, & Quandary" delivers a captivating blend of cozy camaraderie, nuptial nuances, and mystery that will keep you guessing till the last page.

Book Details:

ASIN: ‎ B0BYXKGNSJ
Publisher: ‎ Tonya Kappes Books
Publication Date: ‎ July 27, 2023
Print Length: ‎ 208 pages

Amazon: https://amzn.to/43P6BkT

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123360857-questions-quarrels-quandary

My Review:

Questions, Quarrels, and Quandary is the 32nd book in the Camper & Criminals series but it's as fresh and exciting as the first book. Reading Questions, Quarrels, and Quandary is just like coming back home to Normal, Kentucky. I love the familiarity of the characters, the hominess of the setting, and the comfort knowing Mae the Laundry Club Ladies are keeping everyone safe.

It's time for the multi-state 127 yard sale and the highway runs right through Normal, Kentucky. With the festivities comes The Cowgirl Campers make their temporary home in Happy Trails Campground while they treasure and antique hunt. All the citizens in Normal have geared up for the yard salers, including notorious hoarder, Etta Hardgrove.

When the body of Etta is found bludgeoned to death on her property, foul play is suspected. As newcomers flow in and out of Normal, the local police have their work cut out for them. Enter Mae and the Laundry Club Ladies. After a particular incident between one of the Cowgirl Campers and Etta, the Campers are put on the suspect list. Having them close in the Campground allows Mae and Dottie to do some sleuthing.

The author kept me guessing about the person responsible, as well as the motive. There ends up being several characters who have obvious reasons to be on the suspect list. It just took some time to logically sort things out.

The book was full of twists, turns, red herrings, and shifts in direction. The mystery would start out going one direction, then completely shift a new way. The suspense build-up was written well and intensified until the very end.

As with the rest of the books in the series, the mystery isn't the only thing going on in the book. Tonya Kappes did a terrific job weaving the main storyline and several smaller ones together. The characters are wonderfully crafted, realistically written, and I feel like I'm coming home to Normal with every book in the series.

I was provided a copy of this book.

My Rating:

It's Here! ~~ A Questionable Character by Lorna Barrett ~ Booktown Mystery #17 ~ @LornaBarrett @BerkleyMystery @Berkley

The murder of a local contractor may be the final nail in the coffin for Tricia Miles in the latest entry to Lorna Barrett's New York Times bestselling Booktown series.

Book Details:

ASIN: ‎ B0BKK2K2SL
Publisher: ‎ Berkley
Publication Date: ‎ July 25, 2023

Amazon: https://amzn.to/45Ymisk
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63106387-a-questionable-character

About the Book:

It's a busy summer in Booktown. Contractor Jim Stark is in great demand: he’s overseeing a number of projects, including Angelica Miles's newly constructed building on Main Street, finishing up the new brew pub, and gutting a stone mansion off Main Street that Angelica bought to be the world headquarters for Nigela Ricita Asssociates. It’ll house office space where her marketing staff and the rest of the NR Associates clerical personnel will work.

Tricia Miles and Angelica arrive at the mansion before their workday to see how the construction is going. They find the place unlocked and Stark’s right-hand man, Sanjay Arya, dead—bludgeoned to death. The loss of the contractor’s top man threatens all the projects in the works, which would effectively ruin the expensive marketing plan that the Chamber of Commerce has been working. Is Jim a suspect? (He’d be stupid to kill the person he depends on to keep the projects going.) But Stark also thinks his wife, who was very chummy with Sanjay, might have been cheating on him with the second-in-command, making him a likely suspect.

Once again Tricia finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation, but can she find the killer before he or she has the chance to bring the hammer down?

Read an Excerpt at https://amzn.to/3WZDlG5

Visit the Author at https://lornabarrett.com/

New Release ~ Scaredy Cat by Sofie Ryan ~ Second Chance Cat Mystery #10 ~ #CozyMystery @Berkley @BerkleyMystery

Book Details:

Ebook:
ASIN: ‎ B0B5SQX717
Publisher: ‎ Berkley
Publication Date: ‎ July 4, 2023

Paperback:
ASIN: ‎ B0B5SQX717
Publisher: ‎ Berkley
Publication Date: ‎ July 4, 2023

Amazon: https://amzn.to/42EpHJD

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61407328-scaredy-cat

About the Book:

Secondhand store owner Sarah Grayson and her affectionate rescue cat, Elvis, will scare up a few leads to find a killer in the newest installment of this captivating New York Times bestselling series.

After a long, cold, and snowy winter, it seems as though spring may be arriving early in Maine. Sarah Grayson is busy at her store, Second Chance, and she’s looking forward to an afternoon break from the hustle and bustle, tagging along to the North Harbor Spring House Tour with her friend Detective Michelle Andrews.

But it turns out one of the houses has a haunted history, and when a ghost hunter is found dead on the premises, Sarah knows the best way to uncover the killer/to solve the mystery is by investigating the not-so-dearly departed. With help from Elvis and Charlotte’s Angels, the crew of senior citizen private detectives who work out of the store, she’ll close the case on this creepy crime.

Read an Excerpt: https://amzn.to/3J35mH6

Visit the Author's Webiste: https://sofiekelly.com/

#Review ~ Fourth of July Forgery (Holiday Cozy Mystery, Book #6) by Tonya Kappes @tonyakappes11

ASIN: ‎ B0BYTK9FWT
Publisher: ‎ Tonya Kappes Books
Publication Date: ‎ June 29, 2023
Print Length: ‎ 178 pages

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3pquWiR

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/124929775-fourth-of-july-forgery

CELEBRATE GOOD CRIMES

Get ready for a thrilling and explosive read that will leave you on the edge of your seat until the final twist, in this Fourth of July Forgery.

As the Fourth of July festivities kick off in the quaint town of Holiday Junction, a body washed up on the beach, murdered in cold blood.

Journalist Violet Rhinehammer just can't resist the lure of the case, her nose for news and following the next big story led her straight into finding out all she can about the victim, including digging into their past.

As the investigation begins, Violet finds herself unraveling a web of deceit and uncovering dark secrets hidden behind the town's idyllic facade.

With suspects as numerous as fireworks in the sky, Violet must navigate a dangerous path to uncover the truth, all while celebrating the most American of holidays.

Will she solve the murder before the party ends? Or will the killer strike again under the cover of night, leaving the town to mourn the loss of another innocent victim?

My Review:

Fourth of July Forgery is the sixth 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 six finds the town of Holiday Junction preparing for Fourth of July celebrations. As Violet continues to keep Junction Journal afloat and tend to her civic duties, a body washes up on the beach. Violet can't help herself, she just has to look into the murder. Digging into the victim's past brings a lot to light and Violet must tread carefully or she may be next.

Fourth of July Forgery is a fun and quick read. I continue to enjoy Violet and Darren and love how their relationship continues to grow as the series progresses. I enjoy getting 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 thought I knew who the murdered was, and was shocked during the reveal to discover I was very wrong. I am looking forward to the next book.

I was provided a copy of this book.

My Rating: