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Jane Darrowfield and the Madwoman Next Door
Jane Darrowfield and the Madwoman Next Door
Barbara Ross | 2020 | Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Is Jane’s Neighbor Crazy?
Jane Darrowfield’s newest client is Megan Larsen, her next door neighbor. Megan is a single, mid-30s lawyer on track to become a partner in her firm. However, she begins to suspect that something might be wrong with her. She’s hearing voices and having blackouts among other symptoms. Either she’s going crazy, or someone is out to make her think she is. Jane quickly comes up with a diagnosis, but then something happens that makes Jane question everything she thought she knew. Is Megan in danger? Or is Jane really living next to a madwoman?

I enjoyed the first book in this creative cozy series, so I was anxious to visit with Jane again. I loved this second book just as much. The story is creative and easily fits outside the typical cozy storyline while still fitting perfectly in the cozy mystery genre. Just when I thought I had things figured out, something would happen that would confuse me again. Yet the details all fit together perfectly at the end. Jane is a strong main character. I don’t feel like her friends are well defined, but they don’t get much page time, so that isn’t an issue. Megan is a very sympathetic character, which makes us care for her. The rest of the characters we meet along the way are great as well. This isn’t as funny as the first book in the series, but that’s not a complaint. The subject matter is more serious, and I thought this book perfectly handled that. If you are looking for a slightly different cozy mystery, you’ll be glad you picked up this book.
  
Jane Steward is trying to get more income to her family’s Storyton Hall, already famous as a retreat for readers. But her idea of a Mystery and Mayhem Week begins with a murder and a stolen book. What secrets will she uncover?

This book attempts to do something a little different with the cozy genre, and I’ll admit it took me a little while to get on board, but once I did I found I liked the idea. I also really did love the characters. Unfortunately, the plot came up short, leaving us with some loose threads and a plot hole or two along the way. I wanted to like this book more, but the weak plot really does bother me.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/02/book-review-murder-in-mystery-suite-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
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.
  
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bre (180 KP) rated Powdered Murder in Books

Jun 25, 2018 (Updated Jun 25, 2018)  
Powdered Murder
Powdered Murder
A. Gardner | 2015 | Mystery, Romance
8
7.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
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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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2544 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.