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Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Charity Shop Detective Agency in Books

Dec 11, 2022  
TC
The Charity Shop Detective Agency
Peter Boland | 2022 | Crime, Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Every now and again I like to take a break from the usual hard-hitting, dark and gritty crime thrillers I usually read and immerse myself into something a little more sedate and The Charity Shop Detective Agency hit the spot perfectly.

I absolutely fell in love with the three main characters in this story - Fiona, Partial Sue and Daisy ... oh and not forgetting Simon Le Bon! Despite being retired, they have the skills and insight needed to assist in bringing the perpetrator to justice. There is a supporting cast of equally excellent characters that all added to and had their place within the story.

The plot is engaging and had some great twists and turns that kept me guessing and on my toes. The pacing was perfect for me and felt right for the story.

Highly recommended to those who enjoy a cozy mystery with believable characters and I can't wait for the next in the series ... sign me up!

Many thanks to Joffe Books and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of The Charity Shop Detective Agency.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2379 KP) rated Death Checked Out in Books

Oct 29, 2024 (Updated Oct 29, 2024)  
Death Checked Out
Death Checked Out
Leah Dobrinska | 2022 | Mystery
5
6.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Who Helped Greta’s Neighbor Check Out?
Greta Plank has moved to Larkspur, Wisconsin, for a fresh start. She’s loving her job as the director of the local library, and she’s become close friends with her fellow librarians. She’s even become friends with her neighbor, the town recluse. Unfortunately, she finds his dead body after work one day. But what she thinks is an accident the police label murder. Even worse, they think she is the prime suspect. Can she clear her name?

I thought this book sounded good, so I was looking forward to reading it. The initial set up was good, and I was getting cozy vibes from the characters and the setting. Sadly, that didn’t continue as the book progressed. I did like Greta’s arc, but the rest of the characters stayed pretty flat. The mystery did have some surprises, but I had things figured out very early. It’s not that the book is bad, but it’s not good either. This is one to pick up only is something in particular about the premise appeals to you.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2379 KP) rated Sugarplum Dead in Books

Jul 27, 2024  
Sugarplum Dead
Sugarplum Dead
Carolyn Hart | 2000 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Can Annie Catch a Killer at Christmas?
Annie gets a surprise this Christmas when her father, Pudge, walks into her store. He’s on the island because his ex-sister-in-law has summoned the family together. Annie winds up on hand when she makes an announcement that upsets everyone. The next night, someone dies and Pudge becomes the prime suspect. But Annie doesn’t think he’s the killer. Is she right?

This book seemed to wander a bit with the set up, and I was wondering when it was going to get to the point. But when it did, it was great with several twists that surprised me and an ending that wrapped everything up well. We didn’t see as much of many of the regulars, but Laurel has some fantastic scenes. We also get to know some of the suspects better than is often the case. The Christmas element was subdued, but the references to other mystery authors and books was toned down, which was great. This is another book that fans of cozy mysteries will love.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2379 KP) rated Long Island Iced Tina in Books

Feb 24, 2021 (Updated Feb 24, 2021)  
Long Island Iced Tina
Long Island Iced Tina
Maria DiRico | 2021 | Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Reappearing Painting and Murder
Mia Carina is thrilled for her friend Nicole, who is expecting her first baby. Nicole has chosen Mia’s catering hall, Belle View, as the location for one of her baby showers. Despite Mia’s best efforts, the baby shower is interrupted by a fight between Nicole’s mother and step-mother. Then, one of Nicole’s presents turns out to be a valuable painting stolen years before. Things only get worse when Mia finds the body of a shower guest the next morning. Is the murder linked to the painting?

I enjoyed the first book in the series, and this one was great as well. The painting added a fun element to the mystery, and I really enjoyed seeing how that played out. The mystery had some great zigs and zags along the way. The climax was a bit complicated, but I was able to think it through, and it did make sense. All the characters were wonderful, with some interesting growth for the series regulars. Mia’s grandmother provides a very funny sub-plot, and there are other great moments of humor throughout the book. At the end, we get four recipes and a hit for hosting events yourself. The series is set in Queens, and Mia’s family is involved in the mob. Even so, this is most definitely still a cozy series. Grab some ice tea and enjoy this delightful book.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2379 KP) rated Wreathing Havoc in Books

Sep 29, 2021 (Updated Sep 29, 2021)  
Wreathing Havoc
Wreathing Havoc
Julia Henry | 2021 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Drama of Theater
Thanksgiving week has opened on a somber note since it starts with the funeral for Leon Tompkin, the owner of the local theater. Lilly Jayne and the rest of the Garden Squad aren’t the only ones in town mourning his passing, and it even brings some of the people who used to work with Leon at the theater back to town. When one of the visitors is murdered, Lilly can’t help but wonder if Leon’s death was from natural causes. If it wasn’t, are the two deaths connected?

Thanksgiving isn’t usually a setting for fall themed cozy mysteries, but I enjoyed seeing this book starting with November’s holiday, although we do get a few early Christmas activities as the book goes along. The mystery takes a little while to set down roots before it starts to fully grow, but once it does, we wind up with a wonderful mystery. I love how everything came together. Lilly and the rest of her friends in the Garden Squad are as delightful as always, and the new characters are equally likeable, making it hard for me to pick out the killer. Late autumn isn’t the best time for gardening, but we still get a bit of that and a few gardening tips over the course of the book. This is an entry that fans of the series will be thankful for.