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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2611 KP) rated Welcome to Cozy Town in Books
May 29, 2026 (Updated May 29, 2026)
Pitch Perfect Send Up of Cozies
Violet has just inherited a bed and breakfast from a great-aunt she didn’t know she had in a town she’d never heard of before. But, considering she’s in need of a fresh start, the timing is perfect. However, when her first guest is found murdered in his bed, Violet can’t help but wonder what is going on. Especially since everyone in town seems to be taking it in stride. What kind of town has Violet moved to?
The teaser doesn’t really give you a feel for this cozy short story. It is a giant wink and nod to fans of the genre, filled with humor at the tropes we all know. You can’t help but laugh as you read, especially since it is obvious that this all comes from a love of the genre. The mystery is solid. It might be a little out there, but it also works for this story. My only complaint is that the characters are a little thin, but given the page count, I’m being picky. I read the story in about an hour, so it isn’t super long. And, of course, there’s a recipe at the end. Cozy mystery fans must read this story. They will laugh their way through it.
The teaser doesn’t really give you a feel for this cozy short story. It is a giant wink and nod to fans of the genre, filled with humor at the tropes we all know. You can’t help but laugh as you read, especially since it is obvious that this all comes from a love of the genre. The mystery is solid. It might be a little out there, but it also works for this story. My only complaint is that the characters are a little thin, but given the page count, I’m being picky. I read the story in about an hour, so it isn’t super long. And, of course, there’s a recipe at the end. Cozy mystery fans must read this story. They will laugh their way through it.
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post
Apr 26, 2022
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2611 KP) rated The Death of an Ambitious Woman in Books
Jul 17, 2018
It Definitely Wasn’t an Accident
The car crash that killed Tracey Kendall was looking suspicious from the start. She was driving way too fast and didn’t break at all for example. Then the mechanic who serviced her car vanishes, which definitely makes acting police chief Ruth Murphy suspect there is more going on than a simple accident. Unfortunately, this comes at the worst possible time with her permanent promotion to police chief about to go through. Can she navigate internal politics and still uncover the truth?
I was thrilled to finally make it back to Barbara Ross’s debut mystery. The mystery is strong, and the internal politics adds a nice layer to an already complex mystery. Ruth and her fellow police officers are strong characters, and I also felt the main suspects were well developed. Some of the supporting players got a little lost, but that is my only complaint about the book. This is a step away from the author’s normal cozy mysteries, with a few four letter words and a touch more description of the aftermath of violence. Still, most of her readers will do just fine with this soft-boiled or traditional tale. Anyone who enjoys a good mystery should pick up this book.
I was thrilled to finally make it back to Barbara Ross’s debut mystery. The mystery is strong, and the internal politics adds a nice layer to an already complex mystery. Ruth and her fellow police officers are strong characters, and I also felt the main suspects were well developed. Some of the supporting players got a little lost, but that is my only complaint about the book. This is a step away from the author’s normal cozy mysteries, with a few four letter words and a touch more description of the aftermath of violence. Still, most of her readers will do just fine with this soft-boiled or traditional tale. Anyone who enjoys a good mystery should pick up this book.
Sue (5 KP) rated The Cupcake Caper (Undercover Cat, #1) in Books
Apr 23, 2018
Dr. Bree Mayfield-Watson is most comfortable solving chemistry problems and logically looking at things. She never signed up to find her boss murdered in a secured building and is considered the number one suspect. Who wanted him dead and why are they framing Bree?
Unlike most cozy mysteries, Bree is not your average amateur detective doing illogical and impulsive things to solve the mystery. Refreshingly, she uses her brain, keen sense of observation, and trusty notebook to analyze the facts and formulate who is the real murderer.
My favorite part was being caught up in who the potential murder was and then finding out I was so wrong!
Unlike most cozy mysteries, Bree is not your average amateur detective doing illogical and impulsive things to solve the mystery. Refreshingly, she uses her brain, keen sense of observation, and trusty notebook to analyze the facts and formulate who is the real murderer.
My favorite part was being caught up in who the potential murder was and then finding out I was so wrong!
Sue (5 KP) rated The Cupcake Caper (Undercover Cat, #1) in Books
Aug 13, 2018
Dr. Bree Mayfield-Watson is most comfortable solving chemistry problems and logically looking at things. She never signed up to find her boss murdered in a secured building and is considered the number one suspect. Who wanted him dead and why are they framing Bree?
Unlike most cozy mysteries, Bree is not your average amateur detective doing illogical and impulsive things to solve the mystery. Refreshingly, she uses her brain, keen sense of observation, and trusty notebook to analyze the facts and formulate who is the real murderer.
My favorite part was being caught up in who the potential murder was and then finding out I was so wrong!
Unlike most cozy mysteries, Bree is not your average amateur detective doing illogical and impulsive things to solve the mystery. Refreshingly, she uses her brain, keen sense of observation, and trusty notebook to analyze the facts and formulate who is the real murderer.
My favorite part was being caught up in who the potential murder was and then finding out I was so wrong!
Footprints in the Frosting
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Introducing the Holly Hart Cozy Mystery Series!! Cheesecake, Love, and Murder! It’s the...
Body Snatched (Body Conscious #2)
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What’s worse than losing a body from a funeral home? Losing two. But mortician and amatuer sleuth,...
Cozy Mystery
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2611 KP) rated The Gift of the Magpie in Books
Dec 13, 2020
Who Used a Helping Hand to Murder?
This year at Christmas, the churches in Caerphilly, Virginia have started a Helping Hands for the Holidays charity event, and Meg is right in the thick of it, organizing and helping. One of their projects is helping Harvey the Hoarder declutter and fix up his house before the county is called to intervene. Day one goes pretty well, but when Meg shows up for the second day, she finds him lying in a pool of blood in the garage. Are the rumors of a treasure hidden in the house true? Did that get Harvey killed?
I always enjoy visiting Meg, and this book was no exception. The sub-plots involving her large family slow down the main mystery early on, but as a fan of the series and the characters, that’s a minor complaint. Once the mystery gets going, it is strong with several good suspects and twists before we reach the great climax. The sub-plots still weave in and out of the main mystery, and I really enjoyed them and the Christmas spirit they give us. I didn’t find this book quite as funny as some of the others, maybe because it left me contemplating which side of the hoarder or collector line I’m on. If you are looking for an entertaining mystery set at Christmas, there’s still time this year to cozy up to the fire and enjoy this mystery.
I always enjoy visiting Meg, and this book was no exception. The sub-plots involving her large family slow down the main mystery early on, but as a fan of the series and the characters, that’s a minor complaint. Once the mystery gets going, it is strong with several good suspects and twists before we reach the great climax. The sub-plots still weave in and out of the main mystery, and I really enjoyed them and the Christmas spirit they give us. I didn’t find this book quite as funny as some of the others, maybe because it left me contemplating which side of the hoarder or collector line I’m on. If you are looking for an entertaining mystery set at Christmas, there’s still time this year to cozy up to the fire and enjoy this mystery.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2611 KP) rated Artifact (Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
New history professor Jaya Jones is trying to process the death of her ex-boyfriend when she receives a package in the mail from him that contains a bracelet. It looks to be old and possibly valuable. Now, she’s wondering if he really died in an accident like everyone thinks or if it was murder. And what is the story of the bracelet?
While I always enjoy a cozy mystery, I love when an author adds something else, which is the case here. I was hoping for a caper feel to things, and this book delivered on that perfectly. Between the mystery and the treasure hunt, there is always something going on. Along the way, we get to meet a great cast of characters. I’ll definitely be back for more.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/09/book-review-artifact-by-gigi-pandian.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
While I always enjoy a cozy mystery, I love when an author adds something else, which is the case here. I was hoping for a caper feel to things, and this book delivered on that perfectly. Between the mystery and the treasure hunt, there is always something going on. Along the way, we get to meet a great cast of characters. I’ll definitely be back for more.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/09/book-review-artifact-by-gigi-pandian.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Class Reunions Are Murder (A Poppy McAllister Mystery #1) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
This, the first book in the Poppy McAllister series, was a five star read for me. Maybe even 6. I loved Poppys continual inner monologue. I loved the way I could actually relate to her. I loved the way she learned to believe in herself. I loved Fig! It was refreshing to have a cat in a cozy series who was so completely self-absorbed and cat-like.
A well-thought-out mystery to top it all off kept me engrossed enough to finish this book in a single sitting. If you enjoy a clever, humorous mystery with a loveable protagonist that you just want good things to happen to, go get yourself a copy of Class Reunions Are Murder. You will not be disappointed.
<i>Note: Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me a free copy of the book.</i>
A well-thought-out mystery to top it all off kept me engrossed enough to finish this book in a single sitting. If you enjoy a clever, humorous mystery with a loveable protagonist that you just want good things to happen to, go get yourself a copy of Class Reunions Are Murder. You will not be disappointed.
<i>Note: Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me a free copy of the book.</i>