When a suspicious death takes the life of a friend, our psychic sleuth must expose a killer’s dirty laundry…
Mitzy Moon hopes for a normal day running errands. And this time, she’s determined to get her grandmother’s couture properly cleaned. But her day gets stuck in a spin cycle when she encounters crime-scene tape at the dry cleaner’s and a puzzling murder.
With her only way into the case through an undercover stint in the women’s wrestling league, Mitzy charges ahead with little help from her mentor, Ghost-ma, or her entitled feline. But if the bell rings before she corners the suspect, more lives could end up on the ropes.
Can Mitzy hold a murderer down for the count, or will she be taken out in a lethal smackdown?
Ropes and Last Hopes is the prequel novella to the hilarious new paranormal cozy mystery series, Harper and Moon Investigations. If you like snarky heroines, supernatural intrigue, and a dash of romance, then you’ll love Trixie Silvertale’s wedded whodunits.
I have read all of the Mitzy Moon Mysteries and was bummed to hear that there wouldn’t be any more…until I found out that Mitzy’s adventures would continue with her future husband, Erich, as Harper & Moon Investigators! I was happy to read this prequel.
Mitzy is at her usual tricks. She comes across a murder (at least she didn’t find the body this time) of an old friend of her ghostly grandmother. Of course, she’s planning on helping with the investigation as she always does. Her fiancé has accepted the fact that she’s going to help on investigations, but the deputy, Paulsen, doesn’t like Mitzy or her “nosiness.”
Mitzy goes undercover as a wrestler which is fun and funny. She learns a lot through her psychic powers, and Erich’s team is able to get enough evidence to bring all the pieces of the puzzle together. They make a great team!
I love these stories and feel like I know the characters of Pin Cherry Harbor well. Along with Mitzy and Erich, each character has their own quirkiness. She even has a psychic caracal that she inherited from her grandma. He often offers clues that help the investigations along once she can figure out what the clues mean.
I’m looking forward to reading the first book in the Harper & Moon series!
About the Author
USA TODAY Bestselling author Trixie Silvertale grew up reading an endless supply of Lilian Jackson Braun, Hardy Boys, and Nancy Drew novels. She loves the amateur sleuths in cozy mysteries and is obsessed with all things paranormal. Those two passions unite in her Mitzy Moon Mysteries, and she’s thrilled to write them and share them with you.
When she’s not consumed by writing, she bakes to fuel her creative engine and tends to her herb garden.
Mitzy Moon adores the Winter Extravaganza. In fact, she’s so eager to sip mulled cider this year, she’s volunteered to help with set-up. But when a mysterious blaze destroys the curling arena, her holiday treats could be the next thing to go up in flames.
With the whole town acting odd and visions of a snow princess dancing in her head, Mitzy risks her own safety to pursue the truth. She ignores ominous warnings from the sheriff, Ghost-ma and her entitled feline, and may have leaped out of the frying pan and into an inferno…
Can Mitzy’s snooping reveal what history has hidden, or will this Yuletide be her last?
Vandals and Yule Scandals is the twenty-first book in the hilarious Mitzy Moon Mysteries paranormal cozy mystery series. If you like snarky heroines, supernatural intrigue, and a dash of romance, then you’ll love Trixie Silvertale’s Christmas caper.
I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.
This is the 21st and last book in the series. I was sad to hear that it is the last book, but Trixie has another series starting!
Mitzy Moon is hilarious and a klutz. Her boyfriend, Erick, is the sheriff and loves Mitzy. In fact, Mitzy is waiting for a proposal but every time she’s around Erick, all she sees in her mind is a snow princess. Did I mention that Mitzy has powers? She has learned to hone those powers over the past three years from her mentor, lawyer, and friend, Silas. She could read Erick’s mind, but she’s promised herself not to do that.
As usual, Mitzy and Erick are on a case, and they work great together as a team with his skills as a sheriff and her psychic skills. Of course, her caracal, Pyewacket, has some helpful input as well.
The people of Pin Cherry Harbor have become like close friends, and I’m thrilled that there’s more to come.
About the Author
Trixie Silvertale grew up reading an endless supply of Lillian Jackson Braun, Hardy Boys, and Nancy Drew novels. She loves the amateur sleuths in cozy mysteries and is obsessed with all things paranormal. Those two passions unite in her Mitzy Moon Mysteries, and she’s thrilled to write them and share them with you.
When she’s not consumed by writing, she bakes to fuel her creative engine and tends to her herb garden.
Book Title: Taking Notes on Murder: A Fiona Quinn Mystery #9 Author: C.S. McDonald Category: YA Fiction, 184 pages Run Time: 5 hours Genre: Cozy Mystery Publisher: McWriter Books Release date: May 19, 2020 Content Rating: G (The Fiona Quinn Mysteries are for everyone–adults love the books and they are appropriate for teens and tweens too!)
Book Description:
Mysterious notes are showing up in Fiona’s kindergarten classroom, claiming a suicide from 2005 was actually a homicide. Detective Landry maintains the messages are too vague, possess no integrity, and do not warrant a review of the old case.
Fiona’s not convinced. She’s determined to find the author of the enigmatic notes and uncover the truth about a man who had many secrets and countless enemies, including Fiona’s mother and former suspect Nancy Quinn! Can Fiona crack this cold case, and what will it take to get Detective Landry involved? Don’t miss taking notes on this murder!
I chose to listen to this book after receiving a free audio copy. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. I recently listened to another Fiona Quinn mystery, Bon Voyage to Murder, and I thought it was okay. Thankfully, I enjoyed this book a lot more.
Fiona teaches kindergarten, and she starts receiving notes that claim that a 2005 death that was ruled a suicide was actually a murder. Of course, she has to investigate. I like her tenacity as well as her husband’s willingness to accept her as she is, even with the ghost living in the upstairs apartment.
The case gets dangerous but it’s not so easy to solve. There are many suspects because the victim was not a nice person, and he made many enemies. The murderer wasn’t a surprise but since there were multiple suspects, I wasn’t sure how it would all come out.
The narrator’s voice took a little getting used to. It’s not as soothing as some of the audiobook voices I’ve heard, but once I got used to it, I was fine. Her timing and inflection were very good.
This is the ninth book in the series but it stands alone. At the end, there was author information that was very interesting. If you like cozy mysteries, I definitely recommend Taking Notes on Murder.
About the Author
For twenty-six years C.S. McDonald’s life whirled around a song and a dance. Classically trained at Pittsburgh Ballet Theater School, The Pittsburgh Dance Alloy, and many others, she became a professional dancer and choreographer. In 2011 she retired from her dance career to write. Under her real name, Cindy McDonald, she writes murder-suspense and romantic suspense novels. In 2014 she added the pen name, C.S. McDonald, to write children’s books for her grandchildren. In 2016 she added the Fiona Quinn Mysteries. Presently, the Fiona Quinn Mysteries has nine books.
Cindy’s newest venture is The Owl’s Nest Mysteries. Once again, she has set her cozy mystery in Pittsburgh. The Owl’s Next Mysteries has a little grit, a little time travel, a little romance, and a whole lot of cozy!
Cindy resides on her Thoroughbred farm known as Fly by Night Stables near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Bill, and her poorly behaved Cocker Spaniel, Allister.
June 21 – Cover Lover Book Review – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway June 21 – Working Mommy Journal – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway June 21 – Locks, Hooks and Books – audiobook review of Bon Voyage to Murder / giveaway June 22 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway June 22 – Bound 4 Escape – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway June 22 – Book Corner News and Reviews – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway June 22 – Rajiv’s Reviews – book review of Bon Voyage to Murder / giveaway June 23 – Splashes of Joy – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway June 23 – Book Corner News and Reviews – book review of Bon Voyage to Murder / giveaway June 23 – Working Mommy Journal – book review of Bon Voyage to Murder / giveaway June 23 – Rajiv’s Reviews – book review of Taking Notes on Murder / giveaway June 24 – Buried Under Books – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway June 24 – Rajiv’s Reviews – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway June 24 – Locks, Hooks and Books – audiobook review of Taking Notes on Murder / giveaway June 24 – Book Corner News and Reviews – book review of Taking Notes on Murder / giveaway June 24 – Working Mommy Journal – book review of Taking Notes on Murder / giveaway June 25 – StoreyBook Reviews – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway June 25 – Olio by Marilyn – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway June 25 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – audiobook review of Bon Voyage to Murder / giveaway June 28 – Books for Books – book review of Maxed Out June 28 – Blooming with Books – audiobook review of Bon Voyage to Murder / giveaway June 28 – Cover Lover Book Review – audiobook review of Bon Voyage to Murder / giveaway June 29 – Literary Flits – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway June 29 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – audiobook review of Taking Notes on Murder / giveaway June 29 – Westveil Publishing – audiobook review of Bon Voyage to Murder / giveaway June 30 – Splashes of Joy – audiobook review of Bon Voyage to Murder / giveaway June 30 – Blooming with Books – audiobook review of Taking Notes on Murder / giveaway July 1 – Books Lattes & Tiaras – book review of Maxed Out July 1 – I Read What You Write – book review of Bon Voyage to Murder / giveaway July 1 – Literary Flits – book review of Bon Voyage to Murder / giveaway July 2 – Olio by Marilyn – book review of Bon Voyage to Murder / giveaway July 2 – Westveil Publishing – audiobook review of Taking Notes on Murder / giveaway July 2 – I Read What You Write – book review of Taking Notes on Murder / giveaway July 5 – Cover Lover Book Review – audiobook review of Taking Notes on Murder / giveaway July 5 – Books Lattes & Tiaras – book review of Bon Voyage to Murder July 6 – Blooming with Books – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway July 6 – Buried Under Books – audiobook review of Bon Voyage to Murder / giveaway July 6 – Bound 4 Escape – audiobook review of Bon Voyage to Murder / giveaway July 6 – Literary Flits – book review of Taking Notes on Murder / giveaway July 7 – I Read What You Write – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway July 7 – Cheryl’s Book Nook – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway July 7 – @twilight_reader – book review of Bon Voyage to Murder July 7 – Bound 4 Escape – audiobook review of Taking Notes on Murder / giveaway July 8 – Bigreadersite – book review of Maxed Out July 8 – Laura’s Interests – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway July 8 – Books for Books – audiobook review of Bon Voyage to Murder July 8 – @twilight_reader – book review of Taking Notes on Murder July 9 – Hall Ways Blog – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway July 9 – Westveil Publishing – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway July 9 – @twilight_reader – book review of Maxed Out July 9 – Books for Books – audiobook review of Taking Notes on Murder July 12 – Chit Chat with Charity – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway July 12 – Bigreadersite – audiobook review of Bon Voyage to Murder July 12 – Buried Under Books – audiobook review of Taking Notes on Murder / giveaway July 12 – Books Lattes & Tiaras – book review of Taking Notes on Murder July 13 – The Momma Spot – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway July 13 – Cheryl’s Book Nook – audiobook review of Bon Voyage to Murder / giveaway July 13 – Bigreadersite – audiobook review of Taking Notes on Murder July 14 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway July 14 – Laura’s Interests – audiobook review of Bon Voyage to Murder / giveaway July 14 – Splashes of Joy – audiobook review of Taking Notes on Murder / giveaway July 15 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway July 15 – Chit Chat with Charity – audiobook review of Bon Voyage to Murder / giveaway July 15 – Laura’s Interests – audiobook review of Taking Notes on Murder / giveaway July 15 – Cheryl’s Book Nook – audiobook review of Taking Notes on Murder / giveaway July 16 – Lisa’s Reading – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway July 16 – Hall Ways Blog – audiobook review of Bon Voyage to Murder / giveaway July 16 – Olio by Marilyn – book review of Taking Notes on Murder / giveaway
Book Title: Bon Voyage to Murder: A Fiona Quinn Mystery #8 Author: C.S. McDonald Category: YA Fiction, 198 pages Run Time: 6 hours, 52 minutes Genre: Cozy Mystery Publisher: McWriter Books Release date: Nov 5, 2019 Content Rating: G (The Fiona Quinn Mysteries are for everyone–adults love the books and they are appropriate for teens and tweens too!)
Book Description:
Hooray! Fiona has finally convinced her boyfriend detective Nathan Landry to go on a romantic Caribbean cruise. Unfortunately, their fun on the high seas is interrupted by murder. It isn’t long before they discover a boatload of suspects, who have motives deeper than the ocean for wanting the victim out of their lives.
I chose to listen to this book after receiving a free audio copy. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.
Fiona and her boyfriend, Nathan, and another couple go on a cruise hoping for a nice, relaxing vacation. Unfortunately, one of the acts on board is a fading country singer who someone wants to kill! After a couple of accidents (or were they?), she disappears and is presumed lost at sea.
The murder mystery on the cruise was straight forward with no surprises. I had to feel bad for Nathan because he was so seasick after losing his patch and diving into the ocean to save Cassidy during one of the attempts on her life. As someone who suffers motion sickness, I could empathize.
When Fiona went on the cruise, she left her beloved dog, Harriet, behind, and her brother, Chad, was to take care of her. I enjoyed this part of the book the most because the same night that Fiona left, Chad lost Harriet. He looked for her the entire time that Fiona was gone, and their parents even flew in from out of town when he was desperate on what to do. Hilariously, the neighbors took Harriet in when they came across her and no one answered the door at Fiona’s house. The neighbor even said hi to Chad one day, but he didn’t have Harriet with him!
If you like a cozy murder mystery with no surprises, you should like this book. For me, the Chad and Harriet story was the best part.
About the Author
For twenty-six years C.S. McDonald’s life whirled around a song and a dance. Classically trained at Pittsburgh Ballet Theater School, The Pittsburgh Dance Alloy, and many others, she became a professional dancer and choreographer. In 2011 she retired from her dance career to write. Under her real name, Cindy McDonald, she writes murder-suspense and romantic suspense novels. In 2014 she added the pen name, C.S. McDonald, to write children’s books for her grandchildren. In 2016 she added the Fiona Quinn Mysteries. Presently, the Fiona Quinn Mysteries has nine books.
Cindy’s newest venture is The Owl’s Nest Mysteries. Once again, she has set her cozy mystery in Pittsburgh. The Owl’s Next Mysteries has a little grit, a little time travel, a little romance, and a whole lot of cozy!
Cindy resides on her Thoroughbred farm known as Fly by Night Stables near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Bill, and her poorly behaved Cocker Spaniel, Allister.
June 21 – Cover Lover Book Review – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway June 21 – Working Mommy Journal – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway June 21 – Locks, Hooks and Books – audiobook review of Bon Voyage to Murder / giveaway June 22 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway June 22 – Bound 4 Escape – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway June 22 – Book Corner News and Reviews – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway June 22 – Rajiv’s Reviews – book review of Bon Voyage to Murder / giveaway June 23 – Splashes of Joy – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway June 23 – Book Corner News and Reviews – book review of Bon Voyage to Murder / giveaway June 23 – Working Mommy Journal – book review of Bon Voyage to Murder / giveaway June 23 – Rajiv’s Reviews – book review of Taking Notes on Murder / giveaway June 24 – Buried Under Books – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway June 24 – Rajiv’s Reviews – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway June 24 – Locks, Hooks and Books – audiobook review of Taking Notes on Murder / giveaway June 24 – Book Corner News and Reviews – book review of Taking Notes on Murder / giveaway June 24 – Working Mommy Journal – book review of Taking Notes on Murder / giveaway June 25 – StoreyBook Reviews – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway June 25 – Olio by Marilyn – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway June 25 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – audiobook review of Bon Voyage to Murder / giveaway June 28 – Books for Books – book review of Maxed Out June 28 – Blooming with Books – audiobook review of Bon Voyage to Murder / giveaway June 28 – Cover Lover Book Review – audiobook review of Bon Voyage to Murder / giveaway June 29 – Literary Flits – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway June 29 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – audiobook review of Taking Notes on Murder / giveaway June 29 – Westveil Publishing – audiobook review of Bon Voyage to Murder / giveaway June 30 – Splashes of Joy – audiobook review of Bon Voyage to Murder / giveaway June 30 – Blooming with Books – audiobook review of Taking Notes on Murder / giveaway July 1 – Books Lattes & Tiaras – book review of Maxed Out July 1 – I Read What You Write – book review of Bon Voyage to Murder / giveaway July 1 – Literary Flits – book review of Bon Voyage to Murder / giveaway July 2 – Olio by Marilyn – book review of Bon Voyage to Murder / giveaway July 2 – Westveil Publishing – audiobook review of Taking Notes on Murder / giveaway July 2 – I Read What You Write – book review of Taking Notes on Murder / giveaway July 5 – Cover Lover Book Review – audiobook review of Taking Notes on Murder / giveaway July 5 – Books Lattes & Tiaras – book review of Bon Voyage to Murder July 6 – Blooming with Books – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway July 6 – Buried Under Books – audiobook review of Bon Voyage to Murder / giveaway July 6 – Bound 4 Escape – audiobook review of Bon Voyage to Murder / giveaway July 6 – Literary Flits – book review of Taking Notes on Murder / giveaway July 7 – I Read What You Write – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway July 7 – Cheryl’s Book Nook – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway July 7 – @twilight_reader – book review of Bon Voyage to Murder July 7 – Bound 4 Escape – audiobook review of Taking Notes on Murder / giveaway July 8 – Bigreadersite – book review of Maxed Out July 8 – Laura’s Interests – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway July 8 – Books for Books – audiobook review of Bon Voyage to Murder July 8 – @twilight_reader – book review of Taking Notes on Murder July 9 – Hall Ways Blog – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway July 9 – Westveil Publishing – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway July 9 – @twilight_reader – book review of Maxed Out July 9 – Books for Books – audiobook review of Taking Notes on Murder July 12 – Chit Chat with Charity – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway July 12 – Bigreadersite – audiobook review of Bon Voyage to Murder July 12 – Buried Under Books – audiobook review of Taking Notes on Murder / giveaway July 12 – Books Lattes & Tiaras – book review of Taking Notes on Murder July 13 – The Momma Spot – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway July 13 – Cheryl’s Book Nook – audiobook review of Bon Voyage to Murder / giveaway July 13 – Bigreadersite – audiobook review of Taking Notes on Murder July 14 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway July 14 – Laura’s Interests – audiobook review of Bon Voyage to Murder / giveaway July 14 – Splashes of Joy – audiobook review of Taking Notes on Murder / giveaway July 15 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway July 15 – Chit Chat with Charity – audiobook review of Bon Voyage to Murder / giveaway July 15 – Laura’s Interests – audiobook review of Taking Notes on Murder / giveaway July 15 – Cheryl’s Book Nook – audiobook review of Taking Notes on Murder / giveaway July 16 – Lisa’s Reading – book review of Maxed Out / giveaway July 16 – Hall Ways Blog – audiobook review of Bon Voyage to Murder / giveaway July 16 – Olio by Marilyn – book review of Taking Notes on Murder / giveaway
Ghosts and Bad Toasts (Mitzy Moon Mysteries 9.5) is a short story is from the Cold Cases and Haunted Places Anthology, which is no longer available. I thought I’d still share it since I just found it in my TBR list (I can’t believe I forgot about it!). This is such a fun series to read!
My Review
Mitzy Moon inherited her grandmother’s bookstore even though she hadn’t known her. She’s gotten close to her grandmother’s ghost as well as others who had been close to her grandmother…even Mitzy’s father. She also has found the love of her life in Erick, the sheriff of the town she moved to.
When Mitzy attends a Halloween party at an old asylum that’s supposed to be haunted, she find out pretty quickly that it’s truly haunted. One of the ghosts was a mobster who was gunned down during prohibition and another is a relative of Mitzy’s. She’s unable to find out much though because someone is murdered and she has to leave.
Through investigation and with a little assistance from her grams and her solicitor/alchemist friend, Mitzy learns what she has to do to help the ghosts cross over. Will it be a simple crossing or will it be more difficult as is usually the case for Mitzy?
This is a quick read and nice in-between story while waiting for the next paranormal mystery about Mitzy and her sidekicks.
About the Author
Trixie Silvertale grew up reading an endless supply of Lillian Jackson Braun, Hardy Boys, and Nancy Drew novels. She loves the amateur sleuths in cozy mysteries and is obsessed with all things paranormal. Those two passions unite in her Mitzy Moon Mysteries, and she’s thrilled to write them and share them with you.
When she’s not consumed by writing, she bakes to fuel her creative engine and tends to her herb garden.
When another murder occurs in Cape Cod, it shakes Chloe Cook to her core.
Unfortunately, that isn’t the only bad news that Chloe receives.
Much to Chloe’s dismay, one of her good friends gets arrested for the murder.
Chloe believes that the police have made a huge mistake. In Chloe’s mind, there is no way that her friend is guilty.
Chloe can’t get the detective to listen to her, however.
It soon becomes clear that there’s only one way for Chloe’s friend to get her freedom back.
Chloe will have to catch the real killer herself. Is she up to the challenge?
My Review
Chloe Cook wants nothing to do with solving murders, but when her good friend is arrested for the murder of her boyfriend, Chloe feels she has to investigate. Especially since her friend was caught standing over the body, and she is begging Chloe for help.
This is a quick read with an obvious killer. There isn’t much character development, but if you read all of the books, I’m sure the characters would be more developed in time.
If you’re looking for some light reading and enjoy murder mysteries, this is a book you’ll enjoy.
When Sadie Kramer agrees to help decorate for San Francisco’s high-society Halloween Spooktacular, she expects to find whimsical ghosts, skeletons, and jack-o-lanterns when she shows up at the Wainwright Mansion, not a body. Especially not the body of the woman in charge of the charity event.
With two detectives, a paranormal investigator turned television star, and a cauldron full of Wainwright Foundation staff and family members cackling around her, Sadie and her sidekick Yorkie are determined to find out who the killer is. Will an old superstition help lead to the truth? Or will this simply become one more tale in the mansion’s haunted history?
I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. I’ve read several of Deborah Garner’s books, and I’ve enjoyed all of the Sadie Kramer mysteries, so I was looking forward to reading this one.
A Flair for Goblins is a murder mystery that takes place in a supposedly haunted mansion just in time for Halloween. Poor Sadie happens to be the one to find the body. Although she often finds herself close to murders and has a knack for solving them, this is the first time she’s the person to find the body!
I always enjoy the characters in the Flair Series. Sadie is 50ish and dresses rather flamboyantly. She now has a long distance boyfriend who is a detective she met during one of her “investigations.” I love their conversations because he gets her and always seems to chuckle at least once or twice when talking to her. Sadie’s Yorkie, Coco, always accompanies her wherever she goes because Coco is so small and easy to hide.
I think this is the first Sadie Kramer book I’ve read where she didn’t solve the mystery before the police. She does find a lot of helpful information, but the detectives get this murder solved pretty quickly…maybe because her boyfriend came to town to help on this case!
A Flair for Goblins is a quick read with so many suspects it’ll make your head spin! I didn’t even try to guess who the murderer was because there were so many possibilities. If you like a quick mystery with a bit of humor, you’ll definitely enjoy this book.
Reviews from Amazon:
“Deborah Garner is gifted at bringing each character to life. She adds details seamlessly, making it seem like you know these people. She presents scenarios that have you thinking you know who did it, and then in the next sentence you are second guessing yourself. And that is to say, this is a great “who done it” … it gets 2 thumbs up from me :)”
“I loved the quirky charm of Sadie, for she is loveable, -nosey in a fun way- and has the ability of building a rapport with all the weird and wonderful characters on the resort. She is has a knack of finding clues as she goes about her day to day business.”
“Deborah Garner is a wonderful, fun author who can deliver a story that you will want to read to the end and the characters are witty, entertaining and a lot of fun.”
A Flair for Chardonnay (The Sadie Kramer Flair Mystery Book 1)
When flamboyant senior sleuth Sadie Kramer learns the owner of Cioccolato, her favorite chocolate shop, is in trouble, she heads for the California wine country with a tote-bagged Yorkie and a slew of questions. The fourth generation Tremiato Winery promises answers, but not before a dead body turns up at the vintners’ scheduled Harvest Festival.
All four Tremiato siblings have possible motives, as well as a few peripheral acquaintances, but only one could be the guilty party. As Sadie juggles truffles, tips and turmoil, she’ll need to sort the grapes from the wrath in order to find the identity of the killer.
A Flair for Drama (The Sadie Kramer Flair Mystery Book 2)
When a former schoolmate invites flamboyant senior sleuth Sadie Kramer to a theatre production, she jumps at the excuse to visit the Monterey Bay area for a weekend. With quaint Carmel shops a short drive away and luxurious linens in her hotel accommodations, the excursion promises to be both entertaining and relaxing.
Plenty of action is expected on stage, but when the show’s leading lady turns up dead, Sadie finds herself faced with more than one drama to follow. With both cast members and production crew as potential suspects, will Sadie and her sidekick Yorkie, Coco, be able to solve the case?
A Flair for Beignets (The Sadie Kramer Flair Mystery Book 3)
When Sadie Kramer heads to New Orleans with her sidekick Yorkie, Coco, her sole expectation is a spectacular vacation. With fabulous music, exquisite cuisine, and rich culture, how could a week in The Big Easy be anything less than fantastic? And it is – until a customer at popular Chez Lisette Patisserie drops dead face-first in a raspberry-almond tart.
A competitive bakery, a newly-formed friendship, and even Hotel Arnaud-LeBlanc’s luxurious accommodations offer possible suspects. As Sadie sorts through a gumbo of interconnected characters, will she discover who the killer is? Or will the killer discover her first?
A Flair for Truffles (The Sadie Kramer Flair Mystery Book 4)
Sadie Kramer’s friendly offer to deliver three boxes of gourmet Valentines truffles for her neighbor’s chocolate shop, Cioccolato, backfires when she arrives to find the intended recipient deceased. Even more intriguing is the fact that the elegant heart-shaped gifts were ordered by three different men.
With the help of one detective and the hindrance of another, Sadie will search San Francisco from the prestigious financial district to a low-life bar, to iconic Fisherman’s Wharf, looking for clues. With the help of her trusted sidekick Yorkie, Coco, will Sadie manage to find out “whodunnit” before the killer finds a way to stop her?
A Flair for Flip-Flops (The Sadie Kramer Flair Mystery Book 5)
A vacation on the Southern California coast promises rest and relaxation for flamboyant senior sleuth Sadie Kramer and her mischievous Yorkie, Coco. But when the body of a heartthrob celebrity washes up on the beach outside her luxury hotel suite, Sadie’s fun-in-the-sun soon turns into sleuthing-with-the-stars.
The resort’s wine and appetizer gatherings, suspicious behavior of hotel guests, and casual strolls along the beach boardwalk may provide clues, but will they be enough to discover who the killer is?
Or will mystery and mayhem leave a Hollywood scandal unsolved?
Deborah Garner is an accomplished travel writer with a passion for back roads and secret hideaways. Born and raised in California, she studied in France before returning to the U.S. to attend UCLA. After stints in graduate school and teaching, she attempted to clone herself for decades by founding and running a dance and performing arts center, designing and manufacturing clothing and accessories, and tackling both spreadsheets and display racks for corporate retail management. Her passions include photography, hiking and animal rescue. She speaks five languages, some substantially better than others. She now pides her time between California and Wyoming, dragging one human and two canines along whenever possible.
Book Title: Killer Deadline (A Nikki Bryant Cozy Mystery) by Lauren Carr Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 232 pages Genre: Mystery/Cozy Mystery Publisher: Acorn Book Services Release date: April 23, 2020 Audiobook release date: August 5, 2020 Content Rating: G. This is a true cozy mystery. No sex. No on-stage violence. No swearing. Just good clean fun!
Folks in Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, claim that where Nikki Bryant goes, trouble is not far behind. Her refusal to back down from a challenge has made Nikki Bryant a top investigative journalist.
When an online friend nudges her to join him in a pact to reconnect with their first loves, Nikki and her boxer dog Elmo leave the bright lights of Las Vegas for the charming town of Pine Grove. There, she must face the biggest challenges in her career and life—the first love she had left behind and her father’s unsolved murder.
But before she has time to unpack her car, Nikki stumbles upon the dead body of local news anchor, Ashleigh Addison, her childhood rival. Could Ashleigh’s death be connected to an explosive news story that she had teased about airing live? Did that explosive story have anything to do with the murder of Nikki’s father?
With the clues in her father’s cold case hot again, Nikki intends to chase down the story of her life until she catches his killer—no matter what it takes.
I chose to listen to this book after receiving a free audio copy. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. I had read this book previously and liked it, so I was happy to listen to it as well.
In Killer Deadline, a Nikki Bryant returns home to take over her family’s TV station. She has also decided (with a nudge from an online friend) that it’s time to reconnect with her first and only true love, her former boyfriend and stepbrother.
The first thing that happens when Nikki arrives back home is a murder of the evening anchor for the station. Unfortunately, she’s the one who finds the body which makes her a suspect. The murder also causes her father’s murder, a cold case, to be looked at again. Will they find the murderer(s) this time?
The narrator did a good job with enunciation and timing as well the different voices. Her voice is a little soft for this particular book, but I was able to get past that.
I definitely recommend Killer Deadline. It has a little more substance than some of the cozy mysteries I’ve read. Just like I like it!
“Here we go! Carr is a master storyteller who always offers a plot full of twists and turns, a bit of humor to offset the dark, and a unique cast of characters. In Killer Deadline that cast includes – handsome Ryan, her first love (who is now her step-brother); a mysterious social media friend called Nerdy Guy; Elmo, a super smart dog, a boxer, she rescued who has become a social media star and has a penchant for cleaning; a TV station full of suspicious employees; and more.
“This book is a wonderful read to pick up at the end of a long day. It truly is a “cozy murder mystery.” I promise, it’ll draw you in right from page one and keep you turning the pages until you reach the very last page. I can’t wait for the second book in this series.” – Marilyn R. Wilson, Olio by Marilyn
About the Author
Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, Chris Matheson Cold Case, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty-five titles across three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!
Killer Deadline marks Lauren’s first venture into mystery’s purely cozy sub-genre with a female protagonist.
Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and humor.
A popular speaker, Lauren is also the owner of Acorn Book Service, the umbrella under which falls iRead Book Tours. She lives with her husband and two spoiled rotten German Shepherds on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.
Sixth Book In The Bestselling Series! Daisy McDare’s latest decorating job turns into a crime scene when Adam Dunning, the arrogant owner of a French restaurant, is found stabbed in the back. As Daisy starts digging deeper, she realizes Adam had a knack for making enemies. Between Adam’s bitter wife, needy mistress, unhappy staff, and scheming daughter, Daisy has her hands full in trying to crack the case. Daisy arms herself with cupcakes, one-liners, and plenty of spunk to find the killer before they strike again.
I chose to listen to this book after receiving a free audio copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.
Daisy McDare & the Deadly Restaurant Affair is a novella with a listening time of a little over 3 hours. It’s the fifth book in the Daisy McDare cozy mystery series.
Daisy is an interior decorator but it seems that every time she turns around, she’s solving a murder instead. It’s not something she really wants to do, but she can’t turn her back on a murder. This time, the owner of a restaurant hires her to redecorate his restaurant, but he winds up dead before she can get started.
Luckily, after all of the murders that Daisy has solved, the local detective has finally decided to work with Daisy. There are several people who are suspects and, sadly, most of them are happy that the victim was murdered.
The narrator, Donna Soto, was okay. Her timing is good, but in this story, the voices weren’t as distinct as I’d like. Many of the characters had the same voices. It would have been easier to listen to if she’d just used the same voice throughout the story.
I recommend Daisy McDare & the Deadly Restaurant Affair to anyone who likes cozy mysteries and quick reads. I think I’d prefer the e-book of these novellas though. I’m looking forward to more of the Daisy McDare series.
About the Author
K.M. Morgan loves baking, crafts, cute cat videos, and reading mysteries.
A suspicious fire. A Valentine’s Day discovery. Will this psychic sleuth gamble—and lose?
Mitzy Moon’s clairvoyant abilities are growing, but she never predicted arson. After waking to a towering inferno and loading her mentor into an ambulance, she thought things couldn’t get worse. But when the sheriff links her father to the blaze, she’s forced to take the case.
Coming up empty on love and leads pushes Mitzy to unnecessary risks. Now her otherworldly helpers, a nosy Ghost-ma and a fiendish feline, are the only ones who can save her bacon. But with break-ins, Bingo, and big storms stalling out her investigation, she may not be able to keep her dad out of jail.
Can Mitzy dig up the right clues, or will she fall for a sinister plot that puts her six feet under?
Sparks and Landmarks is the fourth book in the hilarious paranormal cozy mystery series, Mitzy Moon Mysteries.
I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. I read Fries & Alibis, Tattoos & Clues, and Wings & Broken Things, the first three books in this series, and I really enjoyed them, so I was happy to read this book when it was available.
Mitzy Moon seems to attract trouble. With her psychic gifts, she’s good at figuring out mysteries and is usually one step ahead of the sheriff. Unfortunately, being one step ahead often puts her in danger.
Mitzy finally has a family since she inherited her grandmother’s bookstore. She’s getting to know Grams in her ghostly form and is finally getting to know her father. The more Mitzy Moon books I read, the more I enjoy the characters. Mitzy is clumsy, smart, and hilarious. Grams is a force of nature and continues to learn more about being a ghost. The two truly love each other already. Mitzy’s dad, Jacob, has made mistakes in the past but Mitzy is thrilled to have him in her life, and they’re getting to know each other.
When the building next to the bookstore goes up in fire, Gram’s friend and Mitzy’s lawyer and mentor, Silas, ends up in the hospital. Then a body is found in the rubble, and Jacob is the number one suspect. Of course, Mitzy is determined to clear her father to the exasperation of the sexy sheriff. Luckily, he is beginning to get used to Mitzy interfering and even helping with cases. He does have to be on his toes, though, because she’s always getting herself into dangerous situations.
These books are quick and fun reads. Each book builds on the last ones and they’ve become must-reads for me. I definitely recommend Sparks & Landmarks, as well as the other books in the series. I can’t wait for the next Mitzy Moon mystery!
Trailer for the first book
About the Author
Trixie Silvertale grew up reading an endless supply of Lillian Jackson Braun, Hardy Boys, and Nancy Drew novels. She loves the amateur sleuths in cozy mysteries and is obsessed with all things paranormal. Those two passions unite in her Mitzy Moon Mysteries, and she’s thrilled to write them and share them with you.
When she’s not consumed by writing, she bakes to fuel her creative engine and tends to her herb garden.
Bound 4 Escape 