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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2332 KP) rated Muddled Matrimonial Murder in Books
Jun 14, 2023
Dead Stalker
Not only is Thanksgiving approaching, and with it lots of orders for cupcakes that caterer Emory Martinez must fulfill, but she’s also working on the wedding of her best friend, Brad, to Gabe. The road to the wedding is going to be rocky, however, as Gabe seems to be having the worst case of cold feet imaginable. Then Brad and Emory find the body of a woman at the wedding venue. The victim is Brad’s stalker, whom he hasn’t seen in years and didn’t even know was in the area. With the police looking at the grooms as the prime suspects, Emory must add finding a killer to her to do list.
I’d kind of forgotten about Brad’s stalker until she became the focus of this storyline. The plot was great since Emory, despite what she uncovers, keeps coming back to the grooms as the best suspects. Yet when we reach the suspenseful climax, things make perfect sense. There are some interesting developments that fans of the series will enjoy. And yes, I do recommend reading this series in order. That’s fine since the characters are so charming, and I enjoyed spending time with them again here. There are another dozen recipes, including some twists on Thanksgiving favorites and lots featuring cranberries. If you are looking for a fun cozy, you’ll be glad you picked this one up.
I’d kind of forgotten about Brad’s stalker until she became the focus of this storyline. The plot was great since Emory, despite what she uncovers, keeps coming back to the grooms as the best suspects. Yet when we reach the suspenseful climax, things make perfect sense. There are some interesting developments that fans of the series will enjoy. And yes, I do recommend reading this series in order. That’s fine since the characters are so charming, and I enjoyed spending time with them again here. There are another dozen recipes, including some twists on Thanksgiving favorites and lots featuring cranberries. If you are looking for a fun cozy, you’ll be glad you picked this one up.
French Quarter Fright Night
9.0
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The third in the fabulous cozy mystery series with a vintage flair from USA Today bestselling and...
The Jig is Up
8.0
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Irish step dance takes a deadly turn in this Celtic cozy series debut, perfect for fans of Carlene...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2332 KP) rated Send in the Clowns in Books
Oct 12, 2024 (Updated Oct 12, 2024)
Killer Clown in a Haunted House
Being at the local haunted house wasn’t Ellison’s choice for a Sunday night activity. But as she finds herself navigating the various rooms, she finds a room with two clowns. Ellison already isn’t a fan of clowns, but she quickly realizes that one of the clowns was just stabbed, and he dies in her arms after asking for Ellison’s help by name. When Ellison returns with help, she finds the room completely empty. Who was the victim? More importantly, who was the other clown?
I’d let too long go between visits with Ellison, but it was great to be back in her presence. The returning characters are fun, and I’m not minding the love triangle yet. The plot started out quickly and the pace never lagged. The ending was weaker than I would have liked, but it did answer all our questions. I didn’t enjoy a couple of the elements rooting in the changing times of the 70’s. One of them definitely takes the book outside of cozy territory. On the other hand, I loved the little details that put us in that decade. And the humor continues to entertain. This is a great book to read in October for the seasonal feels, but you’ll enjoy it any time of the year you pick it up.
I’d let too long go between visits with Ellison, but it was great to be back in her presence. The returning characters are fun, and I’m not minding the love triangle yet. The plot started out quickly and the pace never lagged. The ending was weaker than I would have liked, but it did answer all our questions. I didn’t enjoy a couple of the elements rooting in the changing times of the 70’s. One of them definitely takes the book outside of cozy territory. On the other hand, I loved the little details that put us in that decade. And the humor continues to entertain. This is a great book to read in October for the seasonal feels, but you’ll enjoy it any time of the year you pick it up.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2332 KP) rated A Scaly Tail of Murder in Books
Feb 15, 2024 (Updated Feb 15, 2024)
Iguana Solve a Murder?
Just as Frankie Chandler is trying to adjust to being engaged to Detective Martin Bowers, her ex, Jeff, comes to town. Rather surprising since she hasn’t seen him since she moved to Arizona from Wisconsin. He came to town following Charity, a woman he’s just met. The problem? Charity turns Jeff down, but she has his keys. So Frankie agrees to go to the spa where Charity works to retrieve them. When she arrives, she finds Charity dead with Charity’s pet iguana the only witness. Can Frankie figure out what is going on?
Yes, this is one of the rare paranormal series I read since Frankie has discovered she really can communicate with animals. Since the last couple of books have found Frankie out of town, I enjoyed seeing all the regular haunts this time around. The characters are also fun, although I did have some issues with how Frankie treated Jeff in this book. Likewise, a couple of times, Frankie seemed to know something we hadn’t seen her learn. But both are minor overall. The plot had plenty of viable suspects and some nice surprises before we reached the logical end. Meanwhile, the characters provided plenty of smiles and laughs. If you are looking for a light paranormal cozy, you’ll be glad you picked this book up.
Yes, this is one of the rare paranormal series I read since Frankie has discovered she really can communicate with animals. Since the last couple of books have found Frankie out of town, I enjoyed seeing all the regular haunts this time around. The characters are also fun, although I did have some issues with how Frankie treated Jeff in this book. Likewise, a couple of times, Frankie seemed to know something we hadn’t seen her learn. But both are minor overall. The plot had plenty of viable suspects and some nice surprises before we reached the logical end. Meanwhile, the characters provided plenty of smiles and laughs. If you are looking for a light paranormal cozy, you’ll be glad you picked this book up.
Rivers and Creaks
5.0
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A grumpy innkeeper. A dead guest. Can he solve the locked-room mystery before his business crumbles...
A Killing in Costumes
7.0
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Stardom fades fast when you’re on the line for murder, in this debut cozy mystery perfect for fans...
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Off the Books (Novel Idea, #5) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
In Off the Books, Lila is helping prepare for a bridal expo jointly presented by an event organizer and the literary agency she works for. The event no sooner gets started than Lila, already nicknamed the "murder magnet" by some in town, finds yet another corpse. This one turns out to have been murdered in a way suggestive of scenes from two of her agency's authors' books. With A Novel Idea's reputation at stake, Lila's boss decides that the staff of the agency need to band together to find out who the real murderer is.
An unusual method of murder and a plethora of suspects kept me guessing until the end, and Lila's personal life kept it interesting as well. I enjoyed getting to know the staff at A Novel Idea and Lila's family and friends, and can't wait to return to Inspiration Valley to learn more about them. I've already picked up book #1 in the series so that I can catch up.
I would highly recommend this one to all cozy mystery lovers, or to anyone who has ever thought about publishing a book (or is even a little bit curious about the process). I enjoyed the glimpses into Lila's professional life - enough to give you a taste of a literary agent's life but not bog down the story with too many details.
NOTE: I received a free copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.
An unusual method of murder and a plethora of suspects kept me guessing until the end, and Lila's personal life kept it interesting as well. I enjoyed getting to know the staff at A Novel Idea and Lila's family and friends, and can't wait to return to Inspiration Valley to learn more about them. I've already picked up book #1 in the series so that I can catch up.
I would highly recommend this one to all cozy mystery lovers, or to anyone who has ever thought about publishing a book (or is even a little bit curious about the process). I enjoyed the glimpses into Lila's professional life - enough to give you a taste of a literary agent's life but not bog down the story with too many details.
NOTE: I received a free copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2332 KP) rated Book, Line, and Sinker in Books
Jun 23, 2019
This Book is Not a Stinker, and That’s Not a Line to Hook You
Treasure hunters have come to town, certain they have a map to Captain Kidd’s treasure that he buried off the coast of Briar Creek, Connecticut. Their presence quickly divides the town, with the library that Lindsay Norris runs becoming ground zero for some of the fights. However, when the tension leads to a dead body at the dig site, several of her friends become suspects. Naturally, Lindsay begins looking for a clue that might point the police in a different direction. Can she dig up the correct X to mark the killer?
I completely enjoyed this book. The plot is a little different for a cozy mystery, but in this case that was a good thing. Just adjust your expectations accordingly, but you will be satisfied when you turn the final page. Lindsay’s love life gets complicated when her ex-fiance shows up, but I enjoyed seeing how that storyline played out, and I felt it allowed us to get to know Lindsay better. The characters are as charming as always; I’m especially pleased to see that Lindsay’s relationship with the police is already changing for the better. We get some extras, thanks to the crafternoon group, including discussion questions for The Great Gatsby, a cross stitch pattern, and two recipes. I may be behind in this series, but I am certainly enjoying catching up.
I completely enjoyed this book. The plot is a little different for a cozy mystery, but in this case that was a good thing. Just adjust your expectations accordingly, but you will be satisfied when you turn the final page. Lindsay’s love life gets complicated when her ex-fiance shows up, but I enjoyed seeing how that storyline played out, and I felt it allowed us to get to know Lindsay better. The characters are as charming as always; I’m especially pleased to see that Lindsay’s relationship with the police is already changing for the better. We get some extras, thanks to the crafternoon group, including discussion questions for The Great Gatsby, a cross stitch pattern, and two recipes. I may be behind in this series, but I am certainly enjoying catching up.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2332 KP) rated Buyer, Beware in Books
Jan 14, 2020
Is Samantha in Danger Taking a Dead Buyer’s Job?
Samantha Kidd is excited about another fashion store opening up in her hometown of Ribbon, Pennsylvania. She and some friends attend the opening night party, but the party ends abruptly when Samantha stumbles on the body of a dead woman in the handbag department. The woman was the store’s handbag buyer, and the police quickly rule it a murder. Then Samantha gets another shock – the store’s owner asks Samantha to take over the dead woman’s job and use her position to help figure out what happened. But is Samantha putting herself in danger by taking a dead woman’s job?
I might not normally have picked up this book because of the fashion theme, but I already knew that author Diane Vallere can craft a great cozy mystery. Yes, fashion is certainly an aspect of the book, and even plays into the plot, but it never overwhelmed the story or bored me since the book never loses sight of the fact that it is a mystery first and foremost. And what a mystery! The suspects are all outstanding and do a great job of misleading us. Samantha has to deal with twists and red herrings galore until she finally figures things out. I did feel a few of the details could have been smoothed into the story better, but that’s a minor complaint overall. I enjoyed this book and need to make time to visit with Samantha again soon.
I might not normally have picked up this book because of the fashion theme, but I already knew that author Diane Vallere can craft a great cozy mystery. Yes, fashion is certainly an aspect of the book, and even plays into the plot, but it never overwhelmed the story or bored me since the book never loses sight of the fact that it is a mystery first and foremost. And what a mystery! The suspects are all outstanding and do a great job of misleading us. Samantha has to deal with twists and red herrings galore until she finally figures things out. I did feel a few of the details could have been smoothed into the story better, but that’s a minor complaint overall. I enjoyed this book and need to make time to visit with Samantha again soon.