Shifting and Shenanigans by Elizabeth Pantley October 10-21, 2022 Virtual Book Tour Synopsis: Paige and her adventurous Aunt Glo inherit a country inn from eccentric GeeGee. They pack up and hit th…
Unravel mysteries with comfort! Delve into the best cozy mystery books where intrigue meets charming settings and endearing sleuths.
The gingery heat in these biscotti gets mellowed by the rich, melty chocolate. They're knockoutgood, and you make them this way:
As promised, here’s the list of best Cozy Mysteries of 2024, including both new release and highly-anticipated titles. This of the best New and Anticipated 2024 Cozy Mystery Novels is based on currently available reviews and buzz, and of course what I’ve read. I’ll be updating this list as new titles are released or announced, ...
If you were in a cozy mystery novel, what character would you be? The sleuth? The librarian? The cat? Take this quiz to reveal your cozy persona.
It is the last day of May. The month just flew by so quickly. Does anyone else keep forgetting that today is not Monday? It is National Macaroon Day. A day to honor the flourless cookie called the macaroon. The macaroon (click on macaroon for a recipe) is made from ground nuts and leavened egg whites. They are frequently made in pretty colors especially at Easter. If you have not tried them before, this is the day to check them out. I have to admit that I am getting a good laugh at my mother's expense. Her doctor ordered a test for her and her reaction is priceless. It is a test that she can do in the comfort of her own home (trust me you do not want details), but it beats her alternative. The kit arrived today and I am still laughing at her reaction (I cannot help it). It was priceless (I take my giggles where I can get them)! Aren't they pretty? Grilled for Murder by Maddie Day is the second book in the Country Store Mystery series Robbie Jordan is the owner of Pans ‘N Pancakes in South Lick, Indiana. It is a restaurant and country store (has great vintage cookware). Robbie has agreed to cater a welcome home party for Erica Berry Shermer. Erica recently lost her husband, Jon Shermer (twin brother to Jim Shermer, local attorney and Robbie’s romantic interest) and is returning to South Lick from Chicago. Erica has been home a month, but her parents want her to feel welcome. Erica arrives late to the party. She is flirtatious with a few of the men, but she is rude to others. The party ends late, and Phil (Robbie’s friend and baker) offers to close up for her (since she has to get up so early). The next morning Robbie is a little sluggish and eager for her coffee. Robbie comes downstairs and finds Erica dead in the store next to the pickle barrel. This is not a good start to her day! Detective Octavia Slade is the State Police Homicide Detective assigned the case. It turns out that Jim Shermer knows Octavia (they dated). Phil ends up being a prime suspect in the murder and Robbie knows Phil would not hurt anyone. Robbie wants to clear Phil of the crime and find the real culprit (this murder is affecting her business). It is suggested that Robbie enter the Nashville Gingerbread Log Cabin competition. She could enter a miniature Pans ‘N Pancakes made of gingerbread, icing, and candy. Robbie has her hands full with the restaurant, the gingerbread competition, decorating the place for Christmas, the investigation, ordering supplies for the restaurant, her stolen Christmas tree, and complications with her love life. Will Robbie be able to find the killer before the killer comes after Robbie? Grilled for Murder may be the second book in the series, but you can read it alone (the author provides the necessary background material). The book is easy to read and has good characters (and a quaint, small town), but the focus of the book was not on the mystery (more on romance, stolen Christmas tree, dancing, her forgetfulness with regard to ordering supplies for the restaurant, etc.). Figuring out the killer was extremely easy (you just need one clue—I will not tell you which one). I give Grilled for Murder 3 out of 5 stars. I have read other books by this author and this is not her best work (sorry, just being honest). Did you know that Maddie Day is a nom de plume for Edith Maxwell? Do not get me wrong. It is not a bad book. I like this authors writing style and the unique murder weapon. It makes for a pleasant reading experience. I just wanted more in Grilled for Murder. I wanted more focus on the murder mystery and subsequent investigation (it is supposed to be a mystery novel). Will I read the next book in the Country Store Mystery series? Yes, I will be reading the next book to see if there is improvement. One thing that is particularly appealing to me is the description of the vintage cooking equipment (I grew up with two antique dealers for aunts and we have always had antiques in our home). The first book in A Country Store Mystery series is Flipped for Murder which is currently $1.99 on Amazon. I received a complimentary copy of Grilled for Murder by NetGalley in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel. Thank all of you so much for stopping by and reading my blog. I am currently enjoying A Haven on Orchard Lane by Lawana Blackwell. I have not read one of her books in years. I am off to retreat to the back of the house. My neighbors are having their band practice tonight (they have not improved in ten years). I hope all of you have an enjoyable and relaxing night! Take care and Happy Reading! Kris The Avid Reader
~~~ *𝘼𝙪𝙩𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝘼𝙙𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙩 ~~~ *𝙁𝙧𝙚𝙚 𝙎𝙝𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙣 𝙖 $15+ 𝙊𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙧 *𝙁𝙧𝙚𝙚 𝙎𝙝𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙙 20% 𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩 𝙤𝙣 𝙖 $50+ 𝙊𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙌𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙐𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙨 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝘼 𝘽𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝘿𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝘽𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙡𝙚. ~~~ 𝘿𝙀𝙏𝘼𝙄𝙇𝙎 ~~~ 𝘼𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧: Joan Hess. 𝙎𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨: Claire Malloy. 𝘾𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙜𝙤𝙧𝙮: Fiction. 𝙂𝙚𝙣𝙧𝙚: Cozy Mystery. 𝙎𝙪𝙗𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙧𝙚: Women Sleuths. 𝙏𝙞𝙩𝙡𝙚𝙨: 𝙎𝙚𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧: (i). 𝙄𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙙𝙪𝙖𝙡 𝙏𝙞𝙩𝙡𝙚𝙨. (ii). 𝘼 𝘽𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝘿𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝘽𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙡𝙚 ~ we may have an overstock random "𝘽𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙙𝘿𝙖𝙩𝙚𝘽𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙡𝙚." (our choice) at a discounted price. 𝙉𝙤 𝘿𝙪𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨: Only buy ONE bundle to avoid duplicates. 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙩: 𝙈𝙖𝙨𝙨 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙩 𝙋𝙖𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠. (𝙈𝙈𝙋𝘽). 𝙄𝙢𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙨: Are 𝙀𝙭𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙨 of the books available. 𝘾𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝘼𝙧𝙩: May vary from the images shown. 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣: Good ~ very good ~ like new. ~~~𝙎𝙋𝙀𝙀𝘿𝙔 𝙎𝙃𝙄𝙋𝙋𝙄𝙉𝙂 ~~~ In 1-2 business days. ~~~ 𝙍𝙐𝙇𝙀𝙎 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙍𝙀𝙂𝙐𝙇𝘼𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉𝙎 ~~~ We welcome your comments, feedback and photos.
If you were in a cozy mystery novel, what character would you be? The sleuth? The librarian? The cat? Take this quiz to reveal your cozy persona.
Indulge in intrigue and comfort with our top 10 cozy mystery books for a delightful reading experience. From quaint village settings to charming detective tales, these books offer the perfect blend of suspense and relaxation. Discover your next favorite mystery from the comfort of your couch.
I hope that you are having a lovely, uneventful Sunday. Vannetta Chapman has her new Defending America series available for pre-order on Amazon. The two titles are Coyote's Revenge and Roswell's Secret. They will be released on December 20. Seashells, Spells and Caramels by Erin Johnson is the first book in the Spells and Caramels series. Imogen has almost enough money saved to open the bakery she has been dreaming of for years. Catering her difficult boss’s rehearsal dinner will give her the last bit of funds needed. At the party she is given a flyer for a baking contest to become the next Royal Head Baker. After a fire destroys her apartment and wipes out her savings, Imogen is delighted to find out that she has been accepted into the contest. She takes the last of her money and flies to France that night. Imogen discovers that magic is real and that she is a witch. With no clue how to work her magic, Imogen struggles with the various contest challenges. It is especially difficult since her flame, Iggy is unwilling to cooperate (they do not have electricity). After a particularly difficult challenge, one of her fellow competitors drops dead from poisoning and Imogen is the prime suspect. Imogen will need to find the guilty party while keeping herself in the competition. Is there a chance of Imogen winning the competition? Who is behind the murder? Seashells, Spells and Caramels is a fast-paced novel that I found thoroughly entertaining. It is nicely written, has great characters, magic, mayhem, a little romance, mischief, humor, and murder. I started reading this book late one evening and did not go to sleep until I finished it. Iggy, the flame, was a unique character. He had such personality and the author really brought him to life for me. Erin Johnson has a great writing style that make for a fun, enjoyable read. I laughed out loud many times (there was giggling and chuckling too) while reading this paranormal mystery. Imogen’s clumsiness reminds me of my own (I am lucky I have not set fire to my kitchen. There have been some singed paper towels, food and dishtowels.). The mystery was intriguing, but it can be solved before the reveal (but it did not hinder my enjoyment). I appreciated the misdirection employed in the story. I was delighted with the unique world the author created. My rating for Seashells, Spells and Caramels is 5 out of 5 stars. I am eager to read the next magical installment in the Spells and Caramels series which is Black Arts, Tarts and Gypsy Carts. Both books are available through the Kindle Unlimited Program on Amazon. I will return tomorrow with my evaluation of The Amish Christmas Candle by Kelly Long, Jennifer Beckstrand and Lisa Jones Baker. By the way--What did one library book say to the other? Can I take you out? Have a spooktacular day and Happy Reading! Kris The Avid Reader
Welcome to Cozy Wednesday! I am thrilled to feature Pulp Friction by Julie Anne Lindsey! Pulp Friction (A Cider Shop Mystery) Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series Se
An orange cupcake topped with vanilla buttercream and garnished with a candiedorange peel.
Have you watched these cozy mystery shows? Check out this lists of great cozy mystery series to watch on TV or to stream on your laptop.
Unravel mysteries with comfort! Delve into the best cozy mystery books where intrigue meets charming settings and endearing sleuths.
Indulge in some comfy reading with our curated list of the best cozy mysteries to read in 2023. Featuring the best series of all time plus new cozy mysteries for 2023, these lighthearted, non-scary books will captivate your imagination with cozy detective stories and small-town atmospheres.
Stars: 3 out of 5 Pros: Good characters, interesting storyline Cons: Historical issues, one storyline has serious issues The Bottom Line: Pandemic setting Storylines not juggled well But good characters Will Alene Get Charred During the Pandemic’s Early Days? I’m really not ready for novels set during the pandemic, and I’m glad most authors seem to realize that and are either mentioning it in passing or pretending their characters live in an alternative universe where it never existed. However, author G. P. Gottlieb decided to tackle it by setting Charred, the third in her Whipped and Sipped Mysteries, in May of 2020. If you haven’t tried this series yet, it focuses on Alene Baron, the owner of the Whipped and Sipped Café in a neighborhood in Chicago. In addition to her employees, her life also revolves around her three kids and her father, who all live with her. As I said, this book is set in May 2020. Alene and her staff are still going into the café every day to serve their customers via takeout and delivery. She has had to cut her staff and cut everyone’s hours in order the keep them opened even that much. There is a homeless man who sits outside their front door, causing issues with the few customers who show up for takeout when he is there. However, the real drama in her life is her long-lost uncle who has reappeared after vanishing twenty-two years ago. He wants to meet with Alene’s father, his brother, but Alene’s father isn’t so sure he should give him the chance to hurt all of them again. What will he decide? Oh yeah, and there’s also a storyline about a couple of bodies that have appeared in nearby burned-out buildings. The buildings and the bodies all seem to tie back to Alene’s best friend and pastry chef, Ruthie, and Ruthie’s husband. With a title like Charred, you’d think that last part would be the main focus of the story, but it isn’t. Instead, it is a sub-plot at best. Sometimes, it seems like even less than a sub-plot. The main focus really is on what Alene’s father is going to do about his brother showing back up. Which was okay with me since I was invested in the story. Since this is book three in the series, I was definitely reading for the characters. They are a diverse bunch, and I like them. Some of them are a little annoying, but they are supposed to be. And everyone has their moments when they are lovable, which I appreciate. Even so, I really did feel like the emphasis in the book was backwards. While I was on board for the main story, with a title like Charred, the burned-out buildings should have had more page time. And the climax of that particular storyline was extremely weak. I also have to point out the historical inaccuracy of the book. Yes, even something this recent missed something major. As I said, the book is set in May of 2020. It opens a few days before Memorial Day weekend. All through the book, there is talk about the riots that happened after George Floyd’s death. The problem with that is, he didn’t die until Memorial Day, which happens part way through the story. And yes, I did have to stop and look it up because it was bothering me. Other than that, it does a good job of capturing the feel of that time. I appreciated the fact that it never got too dogmatic on anything. Yes, some characters had opinions, but other characters represented the other side well, and Alene was definitely caught in the middle, trying to do the best thing for her employees while also staying safe. It felt very relatable in that way. I’m still not sure I needed to read a book set during the pandemic, but it did a good job of capturing the feel for those who are ready to read about it. The Whipped and Sipped Café features items that are vegan and often gluten free. That’s definitely a twist on the usual culinary cozy. And that is reflected in the nine recipes we get at the end of the book. My issues with the plot keep me from fully recommending Charred. If you’ve enjoyed the previous entries in the series, you’ll want to find out what happens next to the characters. NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
These mysteries are perfect for reading snuggled up under a blanket.
On Flashback Fridays I will share with you the books I was not able to review when they were first released that have been screaming at me from my To-Be-Read bo
Have you watched these cozy mystery shows? Check out this lists of great cozy mystery series to watch on TV or to stream on your laptop.
Get ready for a year filled with thrilling small-town mysteries and charming characters! Join us as we unveil the top cozy mystery picks of 2024 that are sure to inspire your inner detective and bring together a community of mystery lovers.
This post is all about cozy mysteries (“cozies”)! These books usually come in series, but there are some that are published as standalone novels, too. I’ve been looking into this genre more recently, since I love a good mystery but I haven’t have much of a taste for really graphic or depressing books as of ...
Have you watched these cozy mystery shows? Check out this lists of great cozy mystery series to watch on TV or to stream on your laptop.
Welcome to YouTube's The Cozy Mystery Book Club.
There are so many reasons to write cozy mysteries. In my book, there are 10 of them. The mystery genre is huge. From thrillers, suspense, and police procedurals on one end, domestic suspense and straight mysteries in the middle to capers and cozies on the other side of the spectrum, there is, literally, something for […]
Four Parties and a Funeral (A Catering Hall Mystery) by Maria DiRico About Four Parties and a Funeral Four Parties and a Funeral (A Catering Hall Mystery)
