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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2506 KP) rated Murder at the Marina in Books
May 25, 2023
Heritage Festival Brings Murder
Kelly is taking an afternoon to see the boat that her friends, Ivan and Rudy, own. But the tour never happens when she finds a dagger covered in what looks like blood on the boat. While neither of the brothers own it, they do recognize it from their past. A few days later, the owner of a Russian merchandise store turns up dead on their boat as well. What is going on? Does it have to do with the Russian Heritage Festival taking place in town?
I love it when background characters get a chance to shine, which is what happens here. I was intrigued from the beginning and couldn’t wait to see how it would all play out. Unfortunately, I did feel the climax was abrupt, and therefore weaker than it could have been. While the suspects are appropriately shady, the rest of the cast is charming, which is no surprise to fans of the series. I really do love these characters. As always, I enjoyed spending time in a fictional version of the area where I grew up. If you are looking for a fun cozy series, be sure to check this one out.
I love it when background characters get a chance to shine, which is what happens here. I was intrigued from the beginning and couldn’t wait to see how it would all play out. Unfortunately, I did feel the climax was abrupt, and therefore weaker than it could have been. While the suspects are appropriately shady, the rest of the cast is charming, which is no surprise to fans of the series. I really do love these characters. As always, I enjoyed spending time in a fictional version of the area where I grew up. If you are looking for a fun cozy series, be sure to check this one out.
Bethr1986 (305 KP) rated Bakeries and Buffoonery (Magical Mystery Book Club #4) in Books
Jul 2, 2023
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
The snapdragon inn is the setting of a cozy mystery book club with a difference they get transported into the stories to find out whodunit!
This time they are trying to find out who hates cake so much, in the town of Frosting that they have caused chaos, mayhem, and murder. Can they do it before the next murder happens?
This is such a delightful series they really are a pleasure to read. Elizabeth does such an amazing job at pulling you into the story as if you are one of the characters and I must say I am rather fond of all the characters, I'm sad we've lost one but happy for her circumstances and hope we do find out how she gets on.
Although this is a series I personally think you could read it as a stand-alone, but it's much more fun reading the series as you get to find out more about everyone.
I highly recommend and give 5/5
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
The snapdragon inn is the setting of a cozy mystery book club with a difference they get transported into the stories to find out whodunit!
This time they are trying to find out who hates cake so much, in the town of Frosting that they have caused chaos, mayhem, and murder. Can they do it before the next murder happens?
This is such a delightful series they really are a pleasure to read. Elizabeth does such an amazing job at pulling you into the story as if you are one of the characters and I must say I am rather fond of all the characters, I'm sad we've lost one but happy for her circumstances and hope we do find out how she gets on.
Although this is a series I personally think you could read it as a stand-alone, but it's much more fun reading the series as you get to find out more about everyone.
I highly recommend and give 5/5
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2506 KP) rated Mushroom Capped in Books
Jan 10, 2024
Jackie Finds Murder Mushrooming
Former celebrity chef Jackie Norwood has landed in Conway, Maryland, for their second annual mushroom festival. She’s especially excited about connecting with her friend, Marshall. However, she quickly discovers that there’s lots of tension in town thanks to a big farming company trying to buy up the mushroom farms in the area. When Jackie finds the owner of the company dead, Marshall becomes the prime suspect. Can Jackie clear him?
I loved the first book in the series, and it was great to be spending time with Jackie again. All of her family and friends from the last book are back as well. While it would have been nice to see a bit more development for them, I still enjoyed spending time with them and loved the humor they brought to the story. The story started quickly, and when I reached the end, I appreciated just how the clues and motives were layered into the story. I was engaged the entire time, and the ending made perfect sense. If you like mushrooms, you’ll be interested in the five delicious sounding recipes at the end of the book. This is looking to be a great culinary cozy mystery series, and I’m looking forward to finding out what happens at Jackie’s next festival.
I loved the first book in the series, and it was great to be spending time with Jackie again. All of her family and friends from the last book are back as well. While it would have been nice to see a bit more development for them, I still enjoyed spending time with them and loved the humor they brought to the story. The story started quickly, and when I reached the end, I appreciated just how the clues and motives were layered into the story. I was engaged the entire time, and the ending made perfect sense. If you like mushrooms, you’ll be interested in the five delicious sounding recipes at the end of the book. This is looking to be a great culinary cozy mystery series, and I’m looking forward to finding out what happens at Jackie’s next festival.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2506 KP) rated There’s No Murder Like Show Murder in Books
Jun 1, 2025 (Updated Jun 1, 2025)
Local Theater Rocked by Murder
Tasha Weaver is the head of the costume shop at the regional theater in Eastbrook, Connecticut. They’ve been struggling financially, so they are hoping that bringing in a couple of Broadway stars for their latest production will help the theater return to black. But Kurt Mozer, the male lead, is being very difficult. Still, it’s a surprise when someone shots him center stage when the theater is mostly empty. Who would want to kill the star?
Since I love theater, this book caught my attention, and I’m so glad it did. The story is strong with plenty of suspects, motives, and twists to keep me engaged until we reach the logical ending. There were a couple of leaps of logic, but they were minor overall. Tasha is a wonderful lead, and the rest of the cast was entertaining. A few have room to grow, but they work for the amount of page time they get. And the suspects were strong. Plus I enjoyed this look at life behind the scenes in a theater. Well, behind the scenes when a murder is thrown into the mix. This is a strong debut that cozy mystery fans will devour. I’m hopeful that we will get another book from this author soon.
Since I love theater, this book caught my attention, and I’m so glad it did. The story is strong with plenty of suspects, motives, and twists to keep me engaged until we reach the logical ending. There were a couple of leaps of logic, but they were minor overall. Tasha is a wonderful lead, and the rest of the cast was entertaining. A few have room to grow, but they work for the amount of page time they get. And the suspects were strong. Plus I enjoyed this look at life behind the scenes in a theater. Well, behind the scenes when a murder is thrown into the mix. This is a strong debut that cozy mystery fans will devour. I’m hopeful that we will get another book from this author soon.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2506 KP) rated Home is Where the Murder Is in Books
Jun 4, 2025
Was the Victim a Missing Relative?
Tessa Treslow is settling into her hometown in Idaho after retiring from the Army. She’s happy to be back for Pioneer Days, a local festival to celebrate the founding of her town. But the weekend takes a turn when a stranger shows up claiming to be the long-lost cousin of Tessa’s best friend, Freddie. Then the woman is murdered with all evidence pointing to Freddie. Tessa knows her friend didn’t do this, but can she prove it?
I was happy to get to revisit these characters, and this book didn’t disappoint. Several of the characters were more fully developed, which I appreciated. And I enjoyed seeing the quirky characters again. The mystery might have started a little slowly, but the further I went, the more I was hooked until I struggled any time I had to put it down. The climax answered all my questions. I appreciate how Tessa’s time in the army is handled and the fact that Tessa is middled aged. It’s nice to see some variety in main characters. If you are looking for another cozy series to add to your reading list, you need to check this one out.
I was happy to get to revisit these characters, and this book didn’t disappoint. Several of the characters were more fully developed, which I appreciated. And I enjoyed seeing the quirky characters again. The mystery might have started a little slowly, but the further I went, the more I was hooked until I struggled any time I had to put it down. The climax answered all my questions. I appreciate how Tessa’s time in the army is handled and the fact that Tessa is middled aged. It’s nice to see some variety in main characters. If you are looking for another cozy series to add to your reading list, you need to check this one out.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2506 KP) rated Something Whiskered in Books
Feb 11, 2026
Meeting the New In-Laws is Murder
Charlie and Helen Louise are on their honeymoon to Ireland, with Disel along for the trip. They’ve timed their arrival at the castle Helen Louise’s family own to coincide with her uncle’s 100th birthday. However, as they arrive, her uncle, a baron, plunges to his death. Naturally, the family is devastated. There are also questions, like what was the baron doing up there since he hated heights. When the family asks Charlie to do a little poking around, he reluctantly agrees. But his investigation leads to secrets that could hurt the family. Will Charlie find out what lead to the baron’s death?
I’ve struggled a bit with the last couple of books, so I got this one from the library. Sadly, this wasn’t a return to form. Since the book takes place in Ireland, I missed the regular characters who weren’t here. But I did find the new characters fun and good suspects. The mystery starts out on the dark side for a cozy, but I was soon caught up in the puzzle. Sadly, the ending was anti-climactic, even for this series, and one plot point was left unaddressed. Fans will still be glad they picked up this book. Hopefully, the series will get stronger again soon.
I’ve struggled a bit with the last couple of books, so I got this one from the library. Sadly, this wasn’t a return to form. Since the book takes place in Ireland, I missed the regular characters who weren’t here. But I did find the new characters fun and good suspects. The mystery starts out on the dark side for a cozy, but I was soon caught up in the puzzle. Sadly, the ending was anti-climactic, even for this series, and one plot point was left unaddressed. Fans will still be glad they picked up this book. Hopefully, the series will get stronger again soon.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2506 KP) rated Haunted House Ghost in Books
Oct 22, 2025
The Need for a Good Edit Haunts This Book
It’s been a few months since we last checked in on Kellan Ayrwick, single father and new professor at Braxton University, where his family has been involved for decades. In that time, he’s been overseeing the contractor working on his new house, and it’s almost ready for move in. That is, until someone comes along and sabotages it, leaving behind a threatening message. Who could be doing it? Does it have anything to do with the former inhabitants? How does the old skeleton uncovered on campus tie in?
Knowing that the story driving so much of the first half of this series was mostly completed, I was curious to see where things would go. Sadly, this was disappointing. The book tried to take on too much. Even though the pacing was good and the book is long for a cozy, we still got data dumps and exposition with summarized dialogue in the final quarter. It also kept me from really connecting with the characters. Given the October setting, the book does have fun with the seasonal vibes. But I am going to need a break before I move on to the next book, if I decide to.
Knowing that the story driving so much of the first half of this series was mostly completed, I was curious to see where things would go. Sadly, this was disappointing. The book tried to take on too much. Even though the pacing was good and the book is long for a cozy, we still got data dumps and exposition with summarized dialogue in the final quarter. It also kept me from really connecting with the characters. Given the October setting, the book does have fun with the seasonal vibes. But I am going to need a break before I move on to the next book, if I decide to.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2506 KP) rated Lime and Punishment in Books
Jan 14, 2026
Murder Leaves a Tart Taste on This Festival
Jackie Norwood and her friends have landed in Maverick Key, one of the smaller of the Florida Keys, for their key lime festival. Everyone is happy to be there since it is February. But Jackie is disturbed to find out that two bar owners have been killed in the last few weeks. She was hoping for a more relaxed festival this time, however, it looks like murder has followed her once again. But it’s only after she runs into her high school band teacher and learns he’s the prime suspect that Jackie decides she must investigate. Can she clear her friend of the crime?
This book sets up the story as quickly as possible and then delivers a mystery filled with plenty of twists, great suspects, and red herrings along the way to the logical climax. All of Jackie’s friends are present, and they continue to provide the cozy core of these travel stories. I love how some relationships continue to evolved. We also get a nice dose of puns and other humor. There are plenty of key lime based recipes, and not all of them dessert. I was thrilled to be back for Jackie’s latest adventure. Fans new and old will find plenty to enjoy here.
This book sets up the story as quickly as possible and then delivers a mystery filled with plenty of twists, great suspects, and red herrings along the way to the logical climax. All of Jackie’s friends are present, and they continue to provide the cozy core of these travel stories. I love how some relationships continue to evolved. We also get a nice dose of puns and other humor. There are plenty of key lime based recipes, and not all of them dessert. I was thrilled to be back for Jackie’s latest adventure. Fans new and old will find plenty to enjoy here.
Midge (525 KP) rated The Winter Mystery in Books
Mar 18, 2019
Great & Humorous Cozy Mystery
Over recent months I've become a great fan of cozy mysteries so, when I saw this second book in the series featuring Jenny Starling being launched, I knew I had to read "The Winter Mystery." Also, it has a culinary theme which I love and a little light humour. The first book ‘The Birthday Mystery’ was so good, I knew it was likely that Faith Martin had written a winner with this book, too, and I was right!
Best-seller author Faith Martin has also written the ‘Detective Hillary Greene’ mysteries.
First, we are introduced to Jenny Starling who is spending Christmas in a snowed-in country house cooking all the traditional food she loves, however, the family she’s working for are not full of the seasonal spirit. On Christmas Eve, someone is found dead on the kitchen table and the head of the family is blaming Jenny! But with an incompetent detective called in, and seemingly no motive for the murder, Jenny will have to turn amateur sleuth again. She will stop at nothing to clear her name and find the perpetrator.
Faith Martin’s writing skills set the scene beautifully for this novel. The house is a large, charming, Cotswold-stone, Georgian farmhouse in rural Oxford, complete with stables, outhouses, a cobbled courtyard and a resident sheepdog.
Faith Martin’s character development is wonderful, particularly that of Jenny who is an impressive woman and in her late twenties. Curvaceous and sexy, she’s a modern single woman, living and loving life as a travelling cook. She is happy travelling the country catering for different events and cooking great food. She doesn’t like having to divert her attention from baking delicious cakes or creating a new sauce recipe by having to solve murders. She is great at reading people and unmasking killers, always with a good dose of humour.
There are many suspects in this mystery, with clues and lots of red herrings to keep the reader guessing. It was a thoroughly satisfying read and I often found myself asking the same questions as Jenny and I was kept in suspense to the end. The pacing in "The Winter Mystery" was very good and I never lost interest, as it wasn't long before something intriguing would happen. Things came together for a fulfilling finish and wrapped everything up very neatly.
I'm definitely looking forward to the next novel featuring Jenny Starling and other books by the author, Faith Martin. "The Winter Mystery" whets your appetite for more to come.
My thanks to #NetGalley, Joffe Books and the author for providing me with a free advanced copy of #TheWinterMystery.
Best-seller author Faith Martin has also written the ‘Detective Hillary Greene’ mysteries.
First, we are introduced to Jenny Starling who is spending Christmas in a snowed-in country house cooking all the traditional food she loves, however, the family she’s working for are not full of the seasonal spirit. On Christmas Eve, someone is found dead on the kitchen table and the head of the family is blaming Jenny! But with an incompetent detective called in, and seemingly no motive for the murder, Jenny will have to turn amateur sleuth again. She will stop at nothing to clear her name and find the perpetrator.
Faith Martin’s writing skills set the scene beautifully for this novel. The house is a large, charming, Cotswold-stone, Georgian farmhouse in rural Oxford, complete with stables, outhouses, a cobbled courtyard and a resident sheepdog.
Faith Martin’s character development is wonderful, particularly that of Jenny who is an impressive woman and in her late twenties. Curvaceous and sexy, she’s a modern single woman, living and loving life as a travelling cook. She is happy travelling the country catering for different events and cooking great food. She doesn’t like having to divert her attention from baking delicious cakes or creating a new sauce recipe by having to solve murders. She is great at reading people and unmasking killers, always with a good dose of humour.
There are many suspects in this mystery, with clues and lots of red herrings to keep the reader guessing. It was a thoroughly satisfying read and I often found myself asking the same questions as Jenny and I was kept in suspense to the end. The pacing in "The Winter Mystery" was very good and I never lost interest, as it wasn't long before something intriguing would happen. Things came together for a fulfilling finish and wrapped everything up very neatly.
I'm definitely looking forward to the next novel featuring Jenny Starling and other books by the author, Faith Martin. "The Winter Mystery" whets your appetite for more to come.
My thanks to #NetGalley, Joffe Books and the author for providing me with a free advanced copy of #TheWinterMystery.