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The Knitted Home: 12 Contemporary Projects to Make
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Give your home a room-by-room makeover with these beautiful knitted projects. Using pure wools,...
Murder in the Mountains
9.0
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Whether you love spring, summer, fall, or winter in the mountains, you’ll be elevated by nine new...
Midge (525 KP) rated A Case of Bier in Books
Feb 14, 2019
An Enjoyable Cozy Mystery
An enjoyable, cute cozy mystery! This is the first book I have read by Mary Daheim and it won't be my last.
After a busy summer, Judith McMonigle Flynn desperately needs a holiday. Her thoughtful husband, Joe, surprises her with a trip to the Canadian Rockies. Thrilled to be getting away, Judith’s overjoyed when Cousin Renie and Bill agree to join them. Though the husbands have made the arrangements, how bad can a short time away in the beautiful mountains be? Judith and Renie are about to find out!
However, the other guests who are camping nearby, are rather strange and peculiar. They’ve gathered on the mountainside to give a relative a proper and permanent send-off, but Judith realises that paying their respects might be a little premature. It’s up to her and Renie to save a would-be corpse from an early date with death.
I really enjoyed the main character and her husband. There was a lot of good humour in this book, which helped with the cozy atmosphere and I loved the random approach they had when trying to solve the case.
A CASE OF BIER is entertaining and a fairly fast read, with a quick pace. I was able to follow the characters and their backgrounds without any problem, even though I haven't read any of the previous books in this series. I would like to read the other books since I enjoyed this one.
Thank you to Edelweiss, William Morrow and Mary Daheim for a free ARC of this book in exchange for a voluntary, honest review.
After a busy summer, Judith McMonigle Flynn desperately needs a holiday. Her thoughtful husband, Joe, surprises her with a trip to the Canadian Rockies. Thrilled to be getting away, Judith’s overjoyed when Cousin Renie and Bill agree to join them. Though the husbands have made the arrangements, how bad can a short time away in the beautiful mountains be? Judith and Renie are about to find out!
However, the other guests who are camping nearby, are rather strange and peculiar. They’ve gathered on the mountainside to give a relative a proper and permanent send-off, but Judith realises that paying their respects might be a little premature. It’s up to her and Renie to save a would-be corpse from an early date with death.
I really enjoyed the main character and her husband. There was a lot of good humour in this book, which helped with the cozy atmosphere and I loved the random approach they had when trying to solve the case.
A CASE OF BIER is entertaining and a fairly fast read, with a quick pace. I was able to follow the characters and their backgrounds without any problem, even though I haven't read any of the previous books in this series. I would like to read the other books since I enjoyed this one.
Thank you to Edelweiss, William Morrow and Mary Daheim for a free ARC of this book in exchange for a voluntary, honest review.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2389 KP) rated Skating Around the Law (Rebecca Robbins, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Rebecca Robbins has returned to her small home town just long enough to sell her mother's roller rink. But when the town handy man is found murdered in the women's bathroom, she realizes she needs to get his murder solved quickly since no one is interested in it. A typical cozy series debut, but I really enjoyed the characters and found the story fun.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/07/book-review-skating-around-law-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/07/book-review-skating-around-law-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
No Parm No Foul
8.0
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The second book in a delicious culinary cozy series—the muensters have arrived in Balsam Dell in...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2389 KP) rated Fatal Sign-Off in Books
Aug 27, 2025
Local Podcaster Signs Off for Good
It’s been a mostly quiet few months for Winnie Lark in the small town of Copper Bay. The drama in town involves Milton Mulligan who has started a podcast that trashes local businesses. So, when he is poisoned, the question is who didn’t have a motive. With some of Winnie’s family and friends on the suspect list, she can’t help but investigate Milton’s death. Will she uncover the culprit?
I fell in love with these characters in the earlier books of the series, so I was anxious to revisit them again. It was like meeting up with old friends, and I enjoyed the growth we saw in many of their relationships. The mystery is well paced with plenty of red herrings and twists. But the climax left me impressed with how things had been planned out. I did have to roll my eyes at how some political issues were put into the book in a way that felt unnecessary and forced to me. On the other hand, I loved the references to other books, especially cozy mysteries. If you love cozy mysteries, you need to pick up this series.
I fell in love with these characters in the earlier books of the series, so I was anxious to revisit them again. It was like meeting up with old friends, and I enjoyed the growth we saw in many of their relationships. The mystery is well paced with plenty of red herrings and twists. But the climax left me impressed with how things had been planned out. I did have to roll my eyes at how some political issues were put into the book in a way that felt unnecessary and forced to me. On the other hand, I loved the references to other books, especially cozy mysteries. If you love cozy mysteries, you need to pick up this series.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2389 KP) rated The Homicide Hustle: A Ballroom Dance Mystery in Books
Mar 9, 2018
The reality TV competition Ballroom with the B-Listers has hit DC, and Graysin Motion is one of the featured studios. But when one of the show's producers dies, Stacy begins digging around to find the killer. The characters and plot are a little light even for a cozy, but the story comes together well at the end. Anyone with an interest in ballroom dance will certainly enjoy it.
My full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/05/book-review-homicide-hustle-by-ella.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
My full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/05/book-review-homicide-hustle-by-ella.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Cat Got Your Diamonds (Kitty Couture Mystery #1) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
Cat Got Your Diamonds is an excellent start to the new Kitty Couture Mystery series. Lacy is funny, clever heroine, and I really enjoyed reading about her exploits. After encountering an intruder in her shop after hours, Lacy goes to get the police only to return with them and find the intruder dead. Finding herself suspected of murder, Lacy does just what we would expect of her. She decides to investigate.
With a great sense of humor and an interesting supporting cast, animal lovers, cozy lovers, and just about anyone else should love this book.
With a great sense of humor and an interesting supporting cast, animal lovers, cozy lovers, and just about anyone else should love this book.
bre (180 KP) rated Powdered Murder in Books
Jun 25, 2018 (Updated Jun 25, 2018)
A. Gardner's first published book was also my first cozy mystery to read. The writing kept me hooked from start to finish, and I never would have guessed who the killer was from the start! The 'clues' presented kept the plot intriguing and the subtle touch of romance added a little touch that made it even more enjoyable to read. No violence or gore, with just a touch of suspense to keep you reading on. All in all, a great read for an introduction to a new genre.
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Stunning Stitches: 21 Shawls, Scarves, and Cowls You'll Love to Knit
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Best-selling designer Jen Lucas puts her special spin on a unique collection of knitwear. Discover...