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Winnie’s new Emergency Dessert Squad business has been opened for six weeks, and it is quickly gaining customers. But then the unthinkable happens – someone dies after eating one of Winnie’s desserts. Now the phone has stopped ringing and it looks like Winnie may go out of business. In order to keep her new business running, she needs to find the killer, can she do it?
This series has such a fun premise, and the punny names that Winnie uses for her desserts are a delight. Just as much fun are the characters. They’re a bit unusual for a cozy series, but I appreciate them for that. The plot is strong as well. I saw a few plot points coming, but others caught me by surprise.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/03/book-review-silence-of-flans-by-laura.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This series has such a fun premise, and the punny names that Winnie uses for her desserts are a delight. Just as much fun are the characters. They’re a bit unusual for a cozy series, but I appreciate them for that. The plot is strong as well. I saw a few plot points coming, but others caught me by surprise.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/03/book-review-silence-of-flans-by-laura.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2393 KP) rated Zero-Degree Murder (Search and Rescue Mystery #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
When four hikers go missing on a mountain on Thanksgiving Day, Gracie Kinkaid is one of the only people to respond. She and her search partner quickly find one of the hikers, famous actor Rob Christian, but he’s injured. While they wait for help, a snow storm is coming in. What they don’t know is that someone is hunting for them on the mountain – to kill them.
Despite being published by Berkley Prime Crime, this is more a thriller than a cozy, with language and violence to go along with that. The pacing of the plot was uneven, with parts there were page turning and passages that were slow and even predictable. The characters were also not as complex as I would have liked. It wasn’t a bad book, but it also could have been better.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/01/book-review-zero-degree-murder-by-m-l.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Despite being published by Berkley Prime Crime, this is more a thriller than a cozy, with language and violence to go along with that. The pacing of the plot was uneven, with parts there were page turning and passages that were slow and even predictable. The characters were also not as complex as I would have liked. It wasn’t a bad book, but it also could have been better.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/01/book-review-zero-degree-murder-by-m-l.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2393 KP) rated Cinderella Six Feet Under (Fairy Tale Fatal Mystery, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Ophelia and Prue have traveled to Paris where they hope to reunite Prue with her mother. Instead, they find that Prue’s mother is missing and there is a dead body in Prue’s step-family’s home – a body wearing a ball gown and only one slipper. Then Gabriel shows up and insists that’s not the only tie in to Cinderella.
The combination of fairy tale with cozy mystery is successful once again. There are a couple of plot points that seem a bit rough, but for the most part the story is a fun, fast paces romp. I love the trio at the heart of the series, and the rest of the cast is just as sharp and fun. I already can’t wait to see where they go next.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/09/book-review-cinderella-six-feet-under.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The combination of fairy tale with cozy mystery is successful once again. There are a couple of plot points that seem a bit rough, but for the most part the story is a fun, fast paces romp. I love the trio at the heart of the series, and the rest of the cast is just as sharp and fun. I already can’t wait to see where they go next.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/09/book-review-cinderella-six-feet-under.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Death by Coffee (Bookstore Cafe Mystery, #1) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
***NOTE: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
Krissy Hancock has moved to Pine Hills with her best friend to open a coffee and book shop, Death by Coffee. When business doesnt pick up right away, Krissy is concerned that it could be due to the death of a man who works in the building across the street a man who had come in for a cup of coffee just minutes before his death. Determined to find the killer in order to squelch rumors that Death by Coffee may actually be serving tainted coffee, Krissy conducts her own investigation.
This was a well plotted and well written mystery, but I did have trouble believing people would tell Krissy as much as they did, with her confrontational way of interrogating her suspects.
The story was entertaining though, and cozy mystery fans should enjoy it.
Krissy Hancock has moved to Pine Hills with her best friend to open a coffee and book shop, Death by Coffee. When business doesnt pick up right away, Krissy is concerned that it could be due to the death of a man who works in the building across the street a man who had come in for a cup of coffee just minutes before his death. Determined to find the killer in order to squelch rumors that Death by Coffee may actually be serving tainted coffee, Krissy conducts her own investigation.
This was a well plotted and well written mystery, but I did have trouble believing people would tell Krissy as much as they did, with her confrontational way of interrogating her suspects.
The story was entertaining though, and cozy mystery fans should enjoy it.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Cracked to Death (A Webb's Glass Shop Mystery, #3) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
This is the third book in the Webbs Glass Shop mystery series. If you havent read the previous books in the series, dont worry. Youll be able to catch on to whos who and whats happening easily enough that you can jump right in at this point without feeling lost.
I love the glass-making theme of this cozy series. The process is fascinating, and you can almost see the work being done from the vivid descriptions in the book. Its not all about the glass, though, and luckily Savannah has a great group of friends and colleagues to help her out when things get ugly. With another death in town, she needs them to help her track down a killer. This was a great addition to a fun series.
<i>NOTE: I was provided with a free copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.</i>
I love the glass-making theme of this cozy series. The process is fascinating, and you can almost see the work being done from the vivid descriptions in the book. Its not all about the glass, though, and luckily Savannah has a great group of friends and colleagues to help her out when things get ugly. With another death in town, she needs them to help her track down a killer. This was a great addition to a fun series.
<i>NOTE: I was provided with a free copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.</i>
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Crime and Catnip (Nick and Nora Mysteries, #3) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
International intrigue, false identities, and a very clever cat will keep you guessing right up to the last moment of this cozy mystery. While meeting with a museum director to discuss a catering job, Nora finds herself also tasked with finding the directors long lost niece and heir. When she isnt running her sandwich shop, Hot Bread, Nora also spends some of her time looking into the disappearance of her cat Nicks former owner, a detective who has been missing for some time. As cryptic messages come in, she eventually realizes that the two cases may be connected in some way. She just has to find the connection before the killer finds her!
Crime and Catnip is book #3 in the Nick and Nora mystery series, but even without having read the earlier two installments, I had no trouble figuring out who was who or what was going on.
Crime and Catnip is book #3 in the Nick and Nora mystery series, but even without having read the earlier two installments, I had no trouble figuring out who was who or what was going on.
Sue (5 KP) rated I Know What You Bid Last Summer (Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mystery #5) in Books
Aug 13, 2018
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.
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.
Sue (5 KP) rated Curse Breaker (Red-Line, #4) in Books
Aug 13, 2018
I had the opportunity to read a book in a different genre than I usually do (I read cozy mysteries). The first part of the book was romance and suspense with a good plot and an unexpected twist of who done it and why. I was drawn to the characters and hoped that my favorite wasn't going to turn out to be the murderer. I thought the book was complete (at about 70% on my Kindle) and then the story took a turn. I don't want to spoil anything for the reader, but it was a big surprise as to what happens and how our couple survives the plot twist. I have to admit that I enjoyed the first part of the book more than the last half, but all in all, it was a good book for those who enjoy mystery, romance, suspense, and a bit of supernatural.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Vegas (725 KP) rated Murder, She Wrote in TV
Sep 10, 2018
Easy going (1 more)
Fun
Formulaic (1 more)
Occasional fetched plots
A TV classic
America's answer to Miss Marple...
In the little village of Cabot Cove, Maine lives retired school teacher, writer and amateur sleuth Jessica Fletcher, who uses her skills and annoying persistence to get to the bottom of the murders that follow her around - from Cabot Cove to the big cities she travels to and resides in from time to time.
She appears to know or get in the confidence of police chiefs, detectives and other high ranking officials worldwide who for some reason let her get involved in their investigations..
The easy going 'cozy' mysteries are a nice casual watch, that isn't too taxing on the brain, but they do follow a very set formula most of the time which can make them a little predictable.
Created by the duo of Levinson and Link who created classic television detective series such as Columbo, Ellery Queen and Scene of the Crime along with Peter S. Fischer...
In the little village of Cabot Cove, Maine lives retired school teacher, writer and amateur sleuth Jessica Fletcher, who uses her skills and annoying persistence to get to the bottom of the murders that follow her around - from Cabot Cove to the big cities she travels to and resides in from time to time.
She appears to know or get in the confidence of police chiefs, detectives and other high ranking officials worldwide who for some reason let her get involved in their investigations..
The easy going 'cozy' mysteries are a nice casual watch, that isn't too taxing on the brain, but they do follow a very set formula most of the time which can make them a little predictable.
Created by the duo of Levinson and Link who created classic television detective series such as Columbo, Ellery Queen and Scene of the Crime along with Peter S. Fischer...
Erika (17789 KP) rated The Death of Mrs Westaway in Books
Jan 14, 2019 (Updated Jan 14, 2019)
I wanted to love this book. I liked Ware's Woman in Cabin 10, and with all of the blurbs saying it was a lot like Agatha Christie's cozy mysteries.
NEVER INVOKE THE QUEEN OF MYSTERY IF IT'S A SHIT BOOK. I got about 30 percent of the way into this book, and had it all figured out. So I didn't even bother reading the rest, I just googled the plot, and sources told me I was correct, then, for good measure, I read the last chapter. It was not atmospheric, as some suggest. It was plain boring. The main character, Hal, was completely obnoxious. I got that she was poor, because it was mentioned legitimately once every few pages. Everything was just so blatantly obvious. And please, authors, for the love of god, STOP USING INCEST as a plot point.
Because of this book, I'm probably never going to read another Ruth Ware book. I am completely angry I wasted time on this POS book.
NEVER INVOKE THE QUEEN OF MYSTERY IF IT'S A SHIT BOOK. I got about 30 percent of the way into this book, and had it all figured out. So I didn't even bother reading the rest, I just googled the plot, and sources told me I was correct, then, for good measure, I read the last chapter. It was not atmospheric, as some suggest. It was plain boring. The main character, Hal, was completely obnoxious. I got that she was poor, because it was mentioned legitimately once every few pages. Everything was just so blatantly obvious. And please, authors, for the love of god, STOP USING INCEST as a plot point.
Because of this book, I'm probably never going to read another Ruth Ware book. I am completely angry I wasted time on this POS book.