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Written in Stone ~ Scottish Bookshop #10 (by Paige Shelton)
The Scottish Bookshop series by Paige Shelton has become one of my favorites. Between the delightful Cracked Spine Bookshop, the great cast of characters, the murder mystery, and the Scottish brogue you can hear in your mind as you read the words, you are in for a special treat. Of course Delany must get involved in trying to solve the murder case. I especially enjoyed learning about the Picts, an ancient group who lived in Scotland from 79 to 843 CE. The author does a great

Ms. Ladybug
7 days ago1 min read
A Slay Ride Together With You ~ Year-Round Christmas #7 (by Vicki Delany)
Vicky Delany has become one of my go-to cozy mystery authors and her Year-Round Christmas series is one of my favorites. Though you would assume this is a Christmas-theme book by the title, it actually occurs at Easter. I enjoy spending time with Merry and the gang in Rudolph, New York. The characters have begun to feel like friends and I have grown to care about them. As in the past, Merry will get involved in solving the latest murder mystery. With a delightful cast of char

Ms. Ladybug
7 days ago1 min read
Fondant Fumble ~ Cupcake Bakery #16 (by Jenn McKinlay)
I have really enjoyed the books in the Cupcake Bakery series by Jenn McKinlay. And the twist of football players wanting to start a cupcake bakery franchise just added to the story. A murder occurs and Mel, Angie, Tate, and the gang are ready to tackle all the clues and score a touchdown by solving the case. This is a wonderful series and I love spending time in the Fairy Tale Cupcake bakery and the gang in Scottsdale, Arizona. I recommend you go back to book one and read to

Ms. Ladybug
7 days ago1 min read
Death on the Shelf ~ The Haunted Library #5 (by Allison Brook)
I have loved the books in The Haunted Library series by Allison Brook. I was thrilled to be back in Clover Ridge, Connecticut with Carrie, Dylan, Angela, and resident ghost, Evelyn. Of course there is a murder and Carrie will be helping to discover who is guilty of the crime. A lot of twists and turns are sprinkled throughout the pages with some complications such as difficult family relationships, jealousy, insurance fraud, etc. I am looking forward to the next book in the s

Ms. Ladybug
7 days ago1 min read
Torn Asunder ~ Maine Clambake #12 (by Barbara Ross)
I have thoroughly enjoyed the books in the Maine Clambake series by Barbara Ross. I was sad, though, to discover that Torn Asunder is the last book in the series. I have grown to love the characters from Morrow Island in Maine. The story is filled with mystery and the warmth of family and friends. I have never been to a clambake, but after spending time with Julia, Zoey, Jamie, Tom, and the rest of the gang, I am ready to book a trip to Maine and find a place to enjoy a delic

Ms. Ladybug
7 days ago1 min read
Fatal First Edition ~ Library Lover's #14 (by Jenn McKinlay)
I have read several books in the Library Lover’s series by Jenn McKinlay. In fact, I enjoyed them so much that I plan to go back and read the rest of them. This is a great mystery with a lot happening to keep you invested in the story. I love the cast of characters and cannot wait to return to Briar Creek and see what adventure awaits them. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own. For more reviews, please visit my b

Ms. Ladybug
Apr 141 min read
Newlyweds Can Be Knocked Off ~ Amish Matchmaker #6 (by Amanda Flower)
I have loved the books in the Amish Matchmaker series by Amanda Flower. Though you get to travel to Pinecraft, Florida from Harvest, Ohio, you are still treated to the same characters. Millie, Juliet, Jethro the pig, Rev. and Lois Brook, and Bishop and Ruth Yoder will keep you entertained. Of course Millie gets pulled into the murder investigation and she and Lois are determined to find the killer. Lots of clues are sprinkled throughout the pages which will have you invested

Ms. Ladybug
Apr 141 min read
A Matter of Hive and Death ~ Oregon Honeycomb #2 (by Nancy Coco)
This is the first book in the Oregon Honeycomb series I have read. But it did well as a standalone. And because I have read several books in another series by the author, I felt comfortable jumping into this one a little later. The characters are well developed and I enjoyed getting to know the people of Oceanview, Oregon. The town sounded delightful and I would love to spend time there and especially in Wren’s gift shop, Let It Be. There are lots of twists and turns that wil

Ms. Ladybug
Mar 291 min read
Murder at the Wild Haggis Bookshop ~ The Highland Bookshop Murders #1 (by Jackie Baldwin)
This is a great book to start The Highland Bookshop Murders series. I love cozy mysteries, and especially when they take place in a bookshop. Great characters, a delightful location, and an intriguing mystery will have you pulled into the story as Beth and her staff at The Wild Haggis Bookshop try to solve the murder mystery and keep Beth from being seriously considered the prime suspect. There are lots of twist and turns with plenty of suspects. I'm looking forward to gettin

Ms. Ladybug
Mar 271 min read
Death of a Tom Turkey ~ Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails #18 (by Lee Hollis)
I have loved the books. I have read in the Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails series by the writing team of Lee Hollis. I enjoy the time I get to spend with Hayley, Liddy, and Mona. And Sergio's misuse of the English language always has me chuckling. You need to read the books in the series to understand and appreciate this. The murder mystery was very misguided and more time was spent in the courtroom trying the case, then trying to solve the mystery. That was a little bit of

Ms. Ladybug
Mar 271 min read
Epilogue to a Christmas Murder ~ Beyond the Page Bookstore #11 (by Lauren Elliott)
I have read five of the previous books in the Beyond the Page Bookstore series. I enjoyed them so much that I could not wait to get lost in the pages of this 11th book in the series. And the fact that this will be the last book in the series because the author passed away unexpectedly in 2025 makes it even sadder. I enjoyed the Christmas theme … always a plus for me. The characters are well developed and I enjoyed Addie’s efforts to solve the murder mystery and prevent her fr

Ms. Ladybug
Mar 221 min read
A Dish Best Served Dead ~ Tiffany Austin Food Blogger #1 (by T. C. LoTempio)
This is a great first book the Tiffany Austin Food Blogger series. The characters are well developed and the murder mystery will keep you invested in the story. There are a lot of suspects and I was surprised when the person guilty is finally revealed. Tiffany does a great job of using her talent as a food blogger and former chef to sniff out the clues. And, of course, she finds herself in some precarious situations. But that just adds to the angst and will have you flipping

Ms. Ladybug
Mar 221 min read
The Holly Village Murders ~ Marius Quin #6 (by Benedict Brown)
This was the first book I have read the Marius Quin series by Benedict Brown. I do believe I would have enjoyed it more if I had more background into the primary characters, Marius Quin and Lady Bella Montague. However, I still liked spending time trying to solve the murder mysteries and getting to know Marius and Bella more. The relationship between the two of them is entertaining, and I loved that while they have such different personalities, their relationship is built on

Ms. Ladybug
Mar 221 min read
A Perilous Plot ~ Booktown #19 (by Lorna Barrett)
I have read quite a few of the books in the Booktown series by Lorna Barrett. I was not as invested in this book as others I have read. As many reviewers have commented, the bickering between the sisters is getting old. And while I have never cared for Angelica, I feel like she redeemed herself slightly at the end of the book. I cannot imagine having Tricia and Angelica’s parents. It is amazing they turned out as normal as they did. The mystery was interesting and kept my att

Ms. Ladybug
Mar 101 min read
Cross Your Heart and Hope He Dies (by Jenny Elder Moke)
If you are in the mood for a light and fun rom-com, this is the perfect book for you. And as seems to be the case for most of this type of book, it is filled with well-to-do people who are misbehaving. For me, I think this type of book is not appealing. The author does a good job with character development and the storyline is interesting. But the romance aspect was awkward, the mystery was just okay, and I did not care for many of the characters. So for me, this was a lot of

Ms. Ladybug
Mar 101 min read
All My Bones ~ Old Juniper Bookstore #2 (by P. J. Nelson)
Though the second book in the Old Juniper Bookstore series, it is the first one I have read. I am not sure if that made a difference in my opinion. While there are some positive aspects to the book, there were more negatives that kept me from wanting to actually finish the book. I am sure there are plenty of readers who will not be bothered by the pastor discussing the fact of why she is not having sex ... especially when she is NOT married. I am sorry, but I did not find thi

Ms. Ladybug
Mar 91 min read
A Dash of Murder ~ Evergreen Heart Inn #1 (by Pearl Parsons)
This was a short and cozy mystery read. There really is no murder mystery because you know who is guilty from the moment it happens. However, there are a lot of secrets about the characters in the book that are slowly revealed as you travel through the pages. I fell in love with Lucky. I would have taken him in and showered him with so much love. Thank you to Book Funnel for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own. For more reviews, please visit my blog

Ms. Ladybug
Mar 91 min read
Mrs. Morris and the Day of the Dead ~ Salem B&B #10 (by Traci Wilton)
I am so sad that this is the last book in the Salem B&B series! I have enjoyed the time I have spent with Charlene, Sam, Jack, Avery, Silva, and Minne. This book is set during the Halloween time period which is a perfect for the setting of Salem, Massachusetts. The characters have become friends on the page and I have grown to care about them. And while I am sad that this series is ending, the author created the perfect ending. My heart almost stopped beating and I gasped out

Ms. Ladybug
Mar 91 min read
Murder in a Cornish Teashop ~ Maddie Penrose #1 (by Fliss Chester)
This was a fun cozy mystery to start the new Maddie Penrose series by Fliss Chester. I love the thought of a grandmother and her granddaughter running a quaint teashop in the Cornish countryside. And while I am not a cat person, Crumpet and Toast were mischievous enough to add a positive aspect to the book. Maddie is a wonderful primary character. And her method of solving the murder mystery as if she was looking at a recipe was a unique twist. And good looking Detective Insp

Ms. Ladybug
Mar 91 min read
Murder at Cape Costumers ~ Cozy Capers Book Group #7 (by Maddie Day)
I am loving the books in the Cozy Capers Book Group series by Maddie Day. The characters have begun to feel like friends. This particular book was a little more emotional with Mac’s sister-in-law missing. So you actually have two mysteries going on ... a murder and a missing relative. Mac and Tim also have the added responsibility of caring for his sister, Jaime’s, two young children. But the way they worked together along with family and friends to provide love and care for

Ms. Ladybug
Feb 271 min read
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