This is the first book I have read in The Widow’s Detective Club series. The book was a slow start and I struggled to stay invested in the story. I am not sure how much of that is due to not having read the first two books. But once you are well into the story, there is suddenly a lot of activity that will grab your attention. Between the murder, kidnapping, being abducted at knifepoint, etc., it was non-stop action for the final third of the book. The characters were well de

I have fallen in love with Ellie, Fletcher, Hal, and the gang from The Secret Bookcase series, I am so excited to continue spending time with them in the new one. This first book in the Novel Detectives is a great start. Two different cases have Ellie and Fletcher working to bring them to closure. They each have gifts to bring to the detective agency and it is fun watching them support and encourage each other. The murder mystery had lots of clues and suspects and the final r

A Mysterious Christmas Collection (by Michele Pariza Wacek) 5* This fun cozy read included two novellas. The Secret Santa Murder is part of the Charlie Kingsley series and The Mysterious Case of the Dead Elf is a book in the Redemption Detective Agency series. Both are set during the Christmas holiday and will have you enjoying the time you spend in the pages. In The Secret Santa Murder, it is fun to observe Charlie work through different ideas and comments made by the indivi

I am just getting started reading books in the Charlie Kingsley series by Michele Pariza Wacek. But I am looking forward to spending more time with her and see how Officer Wyle will affect her future. The murder mystery kept me invested in the story and I loved the setting of Cabo, Mexico. Charlie is a delightful main character and her personality will have you cheering her on as she is determined to solve the crime ... if for no other reason than keep herself from being arre

What a quirky and unique group of individuals make up the Secret Senior Sleuths Society. Once again they are working in tandem to solve the murder mystery. Each “sleuth” has their gift to contribute to the group and they complement each other well. I would love to live in this type of senior living community and could envision being part of the gang. This is a delightful cozy mystery with each chapter featuring a different character’s point of view which keeps you invested in

What a wonderful series this has been. I have grown to love Annie, Fletcher, Liam, Hal, and the other individuals who are prat of the Redwood Grove, CA community. There are so many secrets sprinkled throughout the pages ... not just the secret bookcase. Watching Annie and Liam’s relationship develop was heartwarming. With each book you are treated to a great mystery with lots of clues and a wonderful and supportive group of friends. I am sad to see this one end. But I am exci

I love historical fiction books and the mystery aspect of this one was a positive spin that I really enjoyed. Metting Freddie Archer, a columnist of Gotham Magazine was enlightening. Freddie’s character was based on one of the first female columnists at The New Yorker. Life as an independent and strong female in the 20s was difficult. But Freddie was up for the challenge. Experiencing this time period and the speakeasies, bootlegging, fashion designers, and glamorous lifestyl

This is the first book I have read in the Dakota Green series. But I enjoyed it so much that I will go back and read the first one and will definitely read any future books in the series. Even though starting with the second book, it did not affect my ability to connect with the characters. I love the character of Dakota Green and look forward to seeing how the future unfolds for her and her beau, Charlie, who is the sheriff. The murder mystery will keep you invested in the s

The Domestic Diva is one of my favorite series. I love getting lost in the pages of an adventure with Sophie Watson. Between the murder mystery and the delicious food, you will not be able to put the book down until you have inhaled every word and helped solve the crime. There are delightful characters who are so supportive of each other. Lots of twists and turns and misguided clues that keep you invested in the story. The fall season was a nice touch and getting to know Aunt

I have enjoyed the books I have read in the Survivor’s Book Club. Lynn Cahoon has become one of my favorite cozy mystery authors. The characters will begin to feel like part of your community. There is such a feeling of love and support as Rarity continues to thrive after surviving her cancer diagnosis and Shirley dealing with her husband’s dementia. There is a murder mystery to be solved and the survivor’s book club is up to the challenge once again. So many threads of clues

I had read the first three books in the Charcuterie Shop series and was excited at the opportunity to get involved in another murder mystery with Katie and the gang at The Char-Board. The characters are well developed and you will grow to care about them. This double murder mystery will set your taste buds on high alert as you experience Katie’s wild ride to solve them. And, of course, Edith, the resident ghost, and her cohort in the hereafter, Rosalind, have Katie’s sleuthin

I had actually read the second book in the Emma Langley Victorian series first. But I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to go back and read the first book. Plus this gave me the opportunity to get to know Emma and her new friend, Penny Green, as well as learn how Emma began solving crimes. Emma is such a relatable character ... young and naive, but intelligent. It was enjoyable watching her mature throughout the pages. The mystery is multifold and has you wondering if Emma’s f

I have loved the books in the Urban Tails Pet Shop series. I am so glad I discovered it and author T. C. LoTempio. The main character, Shell, is once again drawn into the murder mystery. And along with her feline companions, Purrday and Princess Fuzzypants, they will have you flipping through the pages to help solve the crime. There are plenty of suspects and lots of clues ... real or misguided ... to have you wondering who is guilty of murder. I really like that Shell is suc

The Nick and Nora series is one that keeps me entertained. Nora and her detective cat, Nick, will have you pulled into the story and anxious to resolve the murder mystery. The characters are well developed and some you will remember from previous books in the series. The Halloween theme with the supernatural investigation team was a plus and enjoyable addition to the book. Lots of twists and turns and misguided clues will have you flipping through the pages as you struggle al

I have enjoyed the books in the Hamptons Home & Garden series. The characters are well developed and I have grown to love Meg; her boyfriend/author, Patrick; her best friend, Elle; and Elle’s husband, Arthur, who is a police detective. The murder mystery will have you pulled into the story and there are twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the end. I enjoyed the 4th of July festivities. After meeting Patrick’s mother, I am anxious to see how future interactions

I enjoyed the first two books in the Charcuterie Shop series and looked forward to reading future books. This is a fun series in which to get involved. The characters are well developed and the murder mystery is handled well. There are a lot of clues sprinkled throughout the pages. You cannot forget the ghost, Edith. She keeps things interesting and has Katie involved in helping solve the mystery. I really love the charcuterie focus. You will be ready to fix a board by the ti

I had already been given the opportunity to read this tenth book in the Cook-Off series before I had completed the previous book. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this book any more than the ninth in the series. The storyline was okay and I enjoyed learning about potato farming and storage. However, the characters themselves did not appeal to me and I could not get pulled into the story and their lives. Maybe I would have a different opinion if I had read the earlier books in t

This is the first book I have read in the Cook-Off Series. Maybe if I had read the previous eight books I would have enjoyed it more. I typically love cozy mystery books that feature a food aspect. And there were some positive aspects to this book. But it was just an okay read for me. I did enjoy the cryptic messages on the napkins that appeared at Pep’s food truck. There are a lot of positive reviews, so my less than enthusiastic endorsement could simply be the place I was a

I have enjoyed the books I have read in the Melanie Travis series. I am slowly going back and reading the previous books so I can get caught up. I have fallen in love with the characters in the series and the love of dogs and murder mystery keeps me invested in the stories. You will be treated to a behind-the-scenes look at dog shows, including the judging as well as the dog grooming aspects. I have to say that Melanie’s youngest son, Kevin, makes me smile. Just a fun and ent

What a wonderful series to get lost in. The lighthouse library series is one of my favorites. And as soon as I see that a new book is being released, it is at the top of my to-buy list. The setting of a library in a lighthouse in Nags Head on the Outer Banks of NC is pretty much my idea of the ideal place. Lucy is once again pulled into a murder mystery, though as a suspect this time. I love the family of friends and coworkers who make up the cast of characters. It demonstrat