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Murder in the morning
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
MoMo Book Diary recommends ‘Murder in the Morning’ which is the second of the Melissa Craig cozy mystery series by Betty Rowland.

Having enjoyed the first Melissa Craig instalment I was eager to get into the follow up.  I found this instalment, which begins where the previous book concluded, to be more entertaining than the first.  However, this could be due to reading them both in order and in the same week – I would definitely suggest reading them in order and together as I did.

Whilst the book focuses on a new crime the characters involved were developed in the first instalment and I assume will continue through the ongoing series.

This series will be enjoyed by those who enjoy Midsomer Murders, Agatha Raisin and Father Brown type of mystery!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this book.
  
Six Cats a Slayin'
Six Cats a Slayin'
Miranda James | 2018 | Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Kittens and Murder at Christmas
Charlie Harris's feline family has grown quite a bit. Someone left him a box with five kittens in it, and he's taking care of them while trying to track down the owner so he can figure out what to do with them next. Fortunately, Charlie's Maine Coon cat, Diesel, has taken to the kittens and is helping take care of them as only a cat can. That isn't the only problem Charlie is facing this Christmas, however. There's also his new neighbor Geraldine "Call Me Gerry" Albritton. Gerry is rubbing everyone the wrong way, including Charlie. Charlie isn't prepared for murder, however, and when one happens, he begins to investigate. What will he uncover?

Fans of this series know to expect a wonderful puzzle wrapped in a cozy shell, and that's just what we get here, with the Christmas setting only helping the cozy feeling. The mystery of the kittens occupies much of the early book while the foundations of the main mystery are being laid. Once the dead body turns up, we focus more on that with the kittens taking their place as a sub-plot. The twists of the mystery keep the pages flying, and the story takes a more serious tone. That tone provides a nice contrast to the Christmas season and the kittens, both of which keep the book from becoming too dark. I was thrilled to get to spend so much time with the series regulars; I just love Charlie's family and extended family. This book left me with happy tears in my eyes and Christmas carols in my head. What more could you want?
  
Fatal Sign-Off
Fatal Sign-Off
Sarah E. Burr | 2025 | Mystery
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
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.
  
Sarah Winston, a garage sale expert, knows how to run a successful garage sale and has made a business out of it. As part of a charity event, Sarah volunteers her expertise and agrees to manage an athletic equipment swap. While preparing the event, she is knocked out by a would-be robber and then the day of the event discovers the dead body of the local superintendent.

Sarah becomes an amateur detective and compiles a list of murder suspects that all seem to be other members of the school board. With her quick wit and sleuthing talents, Sarah must find the killer before the killer makes her another item for the dumpster.

This book is more than a charming cozy mystery; the author gives you inside tips into the world of garage sale selling and buying. The mystery, suspense, and moments of comedy keep you interested, while you try to guess who the culprit is.