Sign up
Search
Advanced search settings

Search only in certain items:

Search results
All (398)
Content
People
Apps
Books
Orbs
Movies
Music
Podcasts
Shows
Tabletop Games
Tech
TV
Video Games
YouTube Channels
Videos
40x40

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2200 KP) rated Bake Offed in Books

Dec 1, 2022 (Updated Dec 1, 2022)  
Bake Offed
Bake Offed
Maya Corrigan | 2022 | Mystery
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Mystery at the Mystery Convention
Val Deniston and her granddad are going to the Maryland Mystery Fan Fest to help her friend Bethany with it. And Granddad, aka the Codger Cook, is participating in the mystery themed baking competition the first night. One of his fellow contestants is Cynthia Sweet, the woman that Granddad feels stole his shot at turning his Codger Cook recipe column into a book. But when Val finds Cynthia dead in the middle of the night, the two of them start to discover that other people didn’t like Cynthia either. Can they figure out who killed her?

Since the fest is out of town, we don’t see much of the other series regulars, but the series usually focuses on Val and Granddad, so it’s not too big of a loss. This also gives us plenty of time to get to know the new characters, who rise to the occasion. And there is a return appearance by a character from early in the series that is fun. The plot is wonderful. It is intricately plotted, yet it holds together at the end. As someone who complains about the timelines in books when they don’t work, I have to praise this one for holding together perfectly. I got a kick out of the mystery fest setting. The recipes at the end are great fun as well, but I’ll leave that for you to explore on your own. Fans of the series will be happy with this book. If you are looking for a fun culinary cozy series, I definitely recommend you check this one out.
  
40x40

Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated The Final Tap (Living History Museum, #2) in Books

Feb 21, 2018  
TF
The Final Tap (Living History Museum, #2)
Amanda Flower | 2016
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Well, I've found yet another cozy mystery series to add to my must-buy list! I really enjoyed the setting - a working historical farm - and learned everything I could want to know about maple syrup production. Not in a clinical way, but as interesting bits of information presented during the story.

Our heroine Kelsey has her hands full trying to run the farm, raise her kindergarten-age son, and solve a murder before the police can pin it on one of her young employees. There was an interesting cast of characters, and that homey, small-town feel that I love in a good cozy.

While previous events are mentioned, it's not necessary to have read book 1 to know what's going on.

NOTE: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
  
40x40

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2200 KP) rated Artifact (Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery, #1) in Books

Mar 9, 2018  
A(
Artifact (Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery, #1)
Gigi Pandian | 2013
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
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>.