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Pretty Lentil Liars
10.0
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Pulses are racing in the quaint town of Holland, Washington, as it kicks off its third annual lentil...
The Honeymoon Homicides (Sydney Riley #10)
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Despite an unforeseen disaster ruining her carefully planned wedding reception, hotelier Sydney...
Cozy Mystery with an edge Female Amateur Sleuth
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2460 KP) rated The Body in the Hayloft in Books
Dec 4, 2025
The Rose Creek Book Club is Back in Action!
Callie’s ranch has been invaded by guests when the Equi X event loses their location at the last minute and Callie’s husband offers the Double C for their use. Equi X is supposed to celebrate the best of the equestrian community, both the novice and the expert, and some of Callie’s friends and their loved ones are participating. But when one of the presenter’s cats goes missing, Callie finds herself among those trying to locate the pampered pet. When Callie finds the pet, she also finds a dead body. Is it an accident? Or has the book club found themselves involved in another murder?
It’s been two years since we last got to visit the ladies of the Rose Creek Book Club, but it was worth the wait. Yes, all the characters we love are front and center here, and I enjoyed getting updates on them and their lives. They each have their own storyline, which allows them to shine. It also slows down the mystery a bit, but for the most part, everything is balanced well. And the mystery has plenty going on to keep us guessing. I did figure things out just before the characters did, but barely. And the climax answered any lingering questions I had. If you want a cozy mystery with a strong community, be sure to check this series out. Fans will be delighted to return to see how these characters are doing.
It’s been two years since we last got to visit the ladies of the Rose Creek Book Club, but it was worth the wait. Yes, all the characters we love are front and center here, and I enjoyed getting updates on them and their lives. They each have their own storyline, which allows them to shine. It also slows down the mystery a bit, but for the most part, everything is balanced well. And the mystery has plenty going on to keep us guessing. I did figure things out just before the characters did, but barely. And the climax answered any lingering questions I had. If you want a cozy mystery with a strong community, be sure to check this series out. Fans will be delighted to return to see how these characters are doing.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2460 KP) rated Knot in My Backyard in Books
Feb 5, 2020
Murder Hits Close to Home
Martha Rose’s neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley of Southern California used to be peaceful and quiet until a local private school built a baseball stadium in the open space that used to boarder her street. She and her neighbors have tried to fight it, even after it was built, but no one is willing to listen to them. While out for a walk one morning, Martha finds the dead body of Dax Martin, the school’s baseball couch. The police begin to quickly focus on her neighbor Ed Pappas, who had a fight with the victim recently, but Martha doesn’t believe he is guilty. Can she prove it?
Quilting doesn’t play as big a part of this mystery as it did the first in the series, but it is still an active part of Martha’s life, as are her quilting friends. It’s hard to complain since this book is filled with a strong mystery. Martha strikes out early, which only adds to her drive to solve things, and makes the solution more satisfying for us when she does. Some of Martha’s attitude and actions early on were a little frustrating for me, but it made me appreciate the character growth we saw in her later in the book. The rest of the cast are great, and I enjoyed spending time with them, returning characters and new characters alike. When I read the first book in the series, I found some needless political comments off putting, but they were absent in this book. The plot does bring up a few political issues as a natural part of the plot, but they are kept in the background here – the book never stops to peach and they only come up very briefly. As a Los Angeles resident, I enjoyed seeing places I know pop up in this book, especially a few key scenes that took place near where I played ultimate Frisbee for years. Overall, this is a fun second mystery that will please cozy mystery readers.
Quilting doesn’t play as big a part of this mystery as it did the first in the series, but it is still an active part of Martha’s life, as are her quilting friends. It’s hard to complain since this book is filled with a strong mystery. Martha strikes out early, which only adds to her drive to solve things, and makes the solution more satisfying for us when she does. Some of Martha’s attitude and actions early on were a little frustrating for me, but it made me appreciate the character growth we saw in her later in the book. The rest of the cast are great, and I enjoyed spending time with them, returning characters and new characters alike. When I read the first book in the series, I found some needless political comments off putting, but they were absent in this book. The plot does bring up a few political issues as a natural part of the plot, but they are kept in the background here – the book never stops to peach and they only come up very briefly. As a Los Angeles resident, I enjoyed seeing places I know pop up in this book, especially a few key scenes that took place near where I played ultimate Frisbee for years. Overall, this is a fun second mystery that will please cozy mystery readers.
The Lilac Code: The Sisters, Texas Mystery Series Book 7
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Will a case of mistaken identity be the death of her? Madison Reynolds is looking forward to a...
series fiction adult mystery cozy mystery murder
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 (2460 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 (2460 KP) rated Free Fall (Elvis Cole, #4) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Jennifer is sure that her boyfriend Mark is in trouble, so she hires PI Elvis Cole to find out what is going on. Elvis thinks he’s found an easy solution, but then he digs a little deeper and begins to uncover something much more serious. Can Elvis help Mark and Jennifer, or is he in over his head?
The story quickly built into another thrilling read, and I was glued to the page waiting to see how it would all turn out. The characters are good, although I still find Cole’s partner Pike to be unbelievable. Despite that flaw, I enjoyed this departure from my normal cozy mystery diet.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/11/book-review-free-fall-by-robert-crais.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The story quickly built into another thrilling read, and I was glued to the page waiting to see how it would all turn out. The characters are good, although I still find Cole’s partner Pike to be unbelievable. Despite that flaw, I enjoyed this departure from my normal cozy mystery diet.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/11/book-review-free-fall-by-robert-crais.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Sue (5 KP) rated Better Off Read (Bookmobile Mystery #1) in Books
Aug 13, 2018
Cleo Watkins is a septuagenarian librarian that is hoping to save her storm-damaged library, but all hopes are lost when the primary beneficiary is found murdered. Unfortunately, Cleo’s best friend Mary-Rose and her grandson Ollie become the prime suspects.
Cleo takes to the road in her repurposed school bus turned bookmobile and is on a mission to stop the young mayor from permanently closing her beloved library and solve the murder.
The cast of characters in this book are delightful; 70 something Cleo is all heart, her best friend Mary-Rose is full of spunk, close friend Henry is a complete gentleman, and Rhett Butler (the cat) is full of cat mischief.
This was a fun cozy mystery to read and I do hope the author makes a series out of it.
Cleo takes to the road in her repurposed school bus turned bookmobile and is on a mission to stop the young mayor from permanently closing her beloved library and solve the murder.
The cast of characters in this book are delightful; 70 something Cleo is all heart, her best friend Mary-Rose is full of spunk, close friend Henry is a complete gentleman, and Rhett Butler (the cat) is full of cat mischief.
This was a fun cozy mystery to read and I do hope the author makes a series out of it.
TravelersWife4Life (31 KP) rated No Filter (Barks & Beans Cafe Cozy Mystery #1) in Books
Feb 23, 2021
No Filter by Heather Day Gilbert
This was a nice laid-back mystery. I do not often read cozy mysteries as they do not seem real to me, however, after reading the synopsis for this one I was intrigued! I mean who does not like dogs or coffee? This is the first book in Heather Day Gilbert’s new Barks & Beans series, and I am already hooked.
I enjoyed this book from beginning to end, the way the story unfolded was believable and interesting. I liked the characters and getting a glimpse into their lives that I am sure will continue in the next book. They were people I can see myself being friends with. I am looking forward to reading the second book in this series to see what comes next
This was a nice laid-back mystery. I do not often read cozy mysteries as they do not seem real to me, however, after reading the synopsis for this one I was intrigued! I mean who does not like dogs or coffee? This is the first book in Heather Day Gilbert’s new Barks & Beans series, and I am already hooked.
I enjoyed this book from beginning to end, the way the story unfolded was believable and interesting. I liked the characters and getting a glimpse into their lives that I am sure will continue in the next book. They were people I can see myself being friends with. I am looking forward to reading the second book in this series to see what comes next