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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2544 KP) rated Death on the Boardwalk in Books
May 26, 2021 (Updated May 26, 2021)
Body at the Back Door
Clark Thomas runs a bookstore near the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. His days are usually fairly quiet, and he enjoys helping his customers find just the right beach read for their vacation. However, this particular morning, he arrives at work to find a carpet rolled up by his shop’s back door. When he investigates, he discovers that a body is hidden inside the carpet. Worse yet, he recognizes the victim as Paige, one of his regular customers. Clark can’t help but wonder why the body was dumped behind his store. And why would someone want to kill Paige?
I always enjoy getting to visit a tourist destination via a cozy mystery, and this one brought Myrtle Beach to life. Clark’s bookstore was a bonus, and I enjoyed that aspect of the book as well. Since the mystery includes how as well as who and why, there was plenty to keep me engaged as I read, and I especially enjoyed one twist near the end of the book before Clark figured it all out. Once we reached the end, everything made sense. The characters were good, but could be a little more fleshed out. Clark is the strongest of them, mainly because of a tragedy in his past that is talked about some here. The writing was a little rough near the beginning, with some information given to us in a jarring manner. Fortunately, that got better as the book went along. I could see this turning into a fun series. It’s definitely a good beach read whether you can get to the beach this summer or not.
I always enjoy getting to visit a tourist destination via a cozy mystery, and this one brought Myrtle Beach to life. Clark’s bookstore was a bonus, and I enjoyed that aspect of the book as well. Since the mystery includes how as well as who and why, there was plenty to keep me engaged as I read, and I especially enjoyed one twist near the end of the book before Clark figured it all out. Once we reached the end, everything made sense. The characters were good, but could be a little more fleshed out. Clark is the strongest of them, mainly because of a tragedy in his past that is talked about some here. The writing was a little rough near the beginning, with some information given to us in a jarring manner. Fortunately, that got better as the book went along. I could see this turning into a fun series. It’s definitely a good beach read whether you can get to the beach this summer or not.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2544 KP) rated Framed and Frosted in Books
Jun 29, 2021
Murder Causes Fireworks
Emory Martinez is helping her sister cater an elaborate Fourth of July dinner. But the event is proving to be anything but pleasant thanks to the host, who is being obnoxious when he is not being a total jerk – and worse. The evening is supposed to end with the guests enjoying some of Emory’s cupcakes as the fireworks go off, but instead it ends when the host dies. The guests are happy to point suspicion at Sal, the other waiter working the event, but Emory is sure that Sal is innocent. Can she prove it?
I was happy to be able to catch up with Emory. For those reading the series, you’ll be glad to find out that the threads introduced in the early books are expanded on here. If you are new to the series, know that some events from earlier books are spoiled by necessity if you jump in here. We get to see some interesting developments in Emory’s life, and I enjoyed the growth that brought about for her and some other regulars. The mystery itself was strong and kept me engaged the entire time, although I did feel the climax was a bit abrupt. I love the Orange County, California, setting since it is different from so many of the cozies I read. We get ten new recipes at the end of the book, most of them inspired by the dinner that starts the book, although we do get three cupcake recipes. If you are looking for a fun cozy mystery, you’ll be glad you picked up this series.
I was happy to be able to catch up with Emory. For those reading the series, you’ll be glad to find out that the threads introduced in the early books are expanded on here. If you are new to the series, know that some events from earlier books are spoiled by necessity if you jump in here. We get to see some interesting developments in Emory’s life, and I enjoyed the growth that brought about for her and some other regulars. The mystery itself was strong and kept me engaged the entire time, although I did feel the climax was a bit abrupt. I love the Orange County, California, setting since it is different from so many of the cozies I read. We get ten new recipes at the end of the book, most of them inspired by the dinner that starts the book, although we do get three cupcake recipes. If you are looking for a fun cozy mystery, you’ll be glad you picked up this series.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2544 KP) rated Sprinkles of Suspicion in Books
Jun 4, 2020
Emory Finds Herself Caught up in a Murder
When Emory discovers that her husband, Philip, is having an affair with her best friend, Tori, Emory naturally gets very angry and gets into a very public fight with Tori. That creates a problem, however, when Emory finds Tori’s very dead body just a few hours later. Naturally, the police consider Emory their best suspect, so Emory sets out to give them other suspects. As she tries to clear her name, is she prepared for the secrets she will uncover?
Between the Orange County, California, setting and the culinary cozy hook, I couldn’t pass this book up. As always, I enjoyed seeing the action taking place in areas I recognized even if I don’t know them super well. This book works in many ways like a TV pilot, readjusting Emory’s life as well as giving us a murder to solve. The murder got overshadowed a bit at times, but I always found the book compelling to read. There are several good surprises and twists to the mystery. The ending was a little weak, but it does answer all of our questions. I certainly sympathized with Emory since she comes across as very trusting, something that creates problems when your life becomes a mystery. I did feel her family was a little too self-absorbed. I’m sure it was supposed to be funny, but I found it more annoying. The 11 recipes at the end include some Western themed dishes as well as a couple of delicious sounding cupcakes. All told, this is a fun series debut that will leave you wondering just where cupcakes and murder will take Emory next.
Between the Orange County, California, setting and the culinary cozy hook, I couldn’t pass this book up. As always, I enjoyed seeing the action taking place in areas I recognized even if I don’t know them super well. This book works in many ways like a TV pilot, readjusting Emory’s life as well as giving us a murder to solve. The murder got overshadowed a bit at times, but I always found the book compelling to read. There are several good surprises and twists to the mystery. The ending was a little weak, but it does answer all of our questions. I certainly sympathized with Emory since she comes across as very trusting, something that creates problems when your life becomes a mystery. I did feel her family was a little too self-absorbed. I’m sure it was supposed to be funny, but I found it more annoying. The 11 recipes at the end include some Western themed dishes as well as a couple of delicious sounding cupcakes. All told, this is a fun series debut that will leave you wondering just where cupcakes and murder will take Emory next.
For Duck’s Sake
5.0
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Donna Andrews returns with her latest charming addition to the bestselling Meg Langslow mystery...
Taryn K (444 KP) rated Yarned and Dangerous (A Tangled Web Mystery) in Books
May 5, 2018
A knitted cozy to enjoy
This cozy mystery was fun. I really liked how Great-Uncle Eb and his niece, Josie (our heroine), got along. The feud between him and his next door neighbor sounded interesting, though the author didn't dig into that too much in this book.
I am a crocheter and a yarn hoarder, so that could be why I didn't quite understand how Josie could consider selling the yarn shop Eb's late wife Cora left behind in favor of going back to the designer who was making her crazy in New York. She was so stifled and couldn't come up with amazing clothing designs until she started going through the inventory with a member of the local knitting group. Yet all through the book, this mental struggle between "It feels so welcoming," and "No, I'm just going to get rid of the inventory and sell it off," just bothered me, which is why it's an 8-star review and not a 9.
The villain is not immediately obvious, which I appreciated, since it's usually obvious by chapter 5 who did it, if not why they did it. I chased a few wild geese before finding out who the culprit was, so I enjoyed that.
It is a good book, as is the second book, and I'm looking forward to book 3 in the series.
I am a crocheter and a yarn hoarder, so that could be why I didn't quite understand how Josie could consider selling the yarn shop Eb's late wife Cora left behind in favor of going back to the designer who was making her crazy in New York. She was so stifled and couldn't come up with amazing clothing designs until she started going through the inventory with a member of the local knitting group. Yet all through the book, this mental struggle between "It feels so welcoming," and "No, I'm just going to get rid of the inventory and sell it off," just bothered me, which is why it's an 8-star review and not a 9.
The villain is not immediately obvious, which I appreciated, since it's usually obvious by chapter 5 who did it, if not why they did it. I chased a few wild geese before finding out who the culprit was, so I enjoyed that.
It is a good book, as is the second book, and I'm looking forward to book 3 in the series.
BookishWoo (317 KP) rated Pawsitively Poisonous: A Witch of Edgehill Mystery #1 in Books
Jun 20, 2020
For Fans of of cozy mysteries with a paranormal twist, this one is definitely for you!
I had actually read the 2nd book in the series first for review and enjoyed it so much that Melissa sent this one to me also.
The cover alone would have been an instant buy for me, the silhouetted witch against the bright green is so eye catching it literally screams out to you pick me up and read me (You know you want too)!
With Melissa being a professional pet sitter you just know that this would have a nod to pets, and she certainly did not disappoint. Edgehill is a small quirky town whose identity revolves around cats. With everything from the business names to the town fair having a cat related theme and name.
The characters are spot on and you cant help but fall in love with the main Protagonist Amber Blackwood and yes, she is a witch, from a long line of witches who keep their identity secret, for good reason!
Being a cozy mystery you are dragged into a plot line that keeps you on the edge of your seat and has you invested in the characters right through to the end. This leaves you wanting more and I can guarantee that you will move straight on to the second book in the series as you are left with so many unaswered questions about Amber and her family.
So if you are looking for a quick, quirky, fun read you should definitely go and grab yourself a copy!
Melissa sent me my copy of Pawsitively Poisonous for free in exchange for an honest review
I had actually read the 2nd book in the series first for review and enjoyed it so much that Melissa sent this one to me also.
The cover alone would have been an instant buy for me, the silhouetted witch against the bright green is so eye catching it literally screams out to you pick me up and read me (You know you want too)!
With Melissa being a professional pet sitter you just know that this would have a nod to pets, and she certainly did not disappoint. Edgehill is a small quirky town whose identity revolves around cats. With everything from the business names to the town fair having a cat related theme and name.
The characters are spot on and you cant help but fall in love with the main Protagonist Amber Blackwood and yes, she is a witch, from a long line of witches who keep their identity secret, for good reason!
Being a cozy mystery you are dragged into a plot line that keeps you on the edge of your seat and has you invested in the characters right through to the end. This leaves you wanting more and I can guarantee that you will move straight on to the second book in the series as you are left with so many unaswered questions about Amber and her family.
So if you are looking for a quick, quirky, fun read you should definitely go and grab yourself a copy!
Melissa sent me my copy of Pawsitively Poisonous for free in exchange for an honest review
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post
Feb 12, 2021
A Crafter Hooks a Killer
7.0
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Sure to delight fans of Betty Hechtman and Maggie Sefton, A Crafter Hooks a Killer is the second...
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Puzzle Me a Murder
3.0
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The Golden Girls meets puzzle lovers in New York Times bestselling author Roz Noonan's first Pacific...
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10.0
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When the curtain falls, the body count rises When former nurse Sho Tanaka reluctantly takes on...