Reserved for Murder by Victoria Gilbert
My rating: 1 of 5 stars, Unfinished.
Book 2 in the series.
I saw this on NetGalley, and even though I didn't care for the first book, I thought I would give it another chance.
Unfortunately, I didn't like it anymore than I liked the first, so it goes unfinished and on my NOPE list.
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*
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Carried to the Grave and Other Stories by Leslie Budewitz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars, I really liked it.
A collection of shorter stories, with the title story being previously published on the author's website. All are tied to the author's Food Lover's Village series.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Each story was another glimpse into life in Jewel Bay, from the founding of the Mercantile to present day.
The title story actually combines past and present, weaving the two together quite skillfully as Erin uncovers another family's long kept secret. I'd originally read it when the author provided the link in her monthly newsletter ages ago, and enjoyed it again on re-read. This one left me a little sad, both times, and especially sad that the family continued to feel the need to hide the truth in this day and age. (sorry to be so vague, but trying not to give any spoilers!).
I especially enjoyed An Unholy Death, with its glimpse at the founding couple of the Merc. I loved Kate with her big heart and Paddy's obvious love and devotion. I am really hoping we get another story with Kate, Paddy and Grace.
The entire book was a nice, quick read, that I didn't want to end.
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*
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See Something by Carol J. Perry
My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.
Book 11 in the series.
Fast, fun, easy read, with a touch of paranormal. Lately, it seems like all I can handle are light, easy reads, so this was perfect for me. And I enjoy Lee and Aunt Ibby, and the Salem setting. I always learn a little something new about Salem, MA, too. Lee's boyfriend is growing on me, especially since he seems to accept Lee's gift.
I always look forward to more Witch City.
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*
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Organize Your Corpses by Mary Jane Maffini
My rating: 1 of 5 stars, DNF.
Re-release of book 1 in a 5 book series.
Ugh. I didn't find ANY of the characters likeable, not even the dogs. I got to the discovery of the body and lo and behold, the main characters favorite pen under the body, rolled my eyes hard and closed the book on my Kindle.
Life is too short to waste on books you don't enjoy.
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*
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Deadly Ever After by Eva Gates
Peaches and Schemes by Anna Gerard
My rating: 1 of 5 stars, I couldn't get in to it.
Book 3 in the series.
Honestly, I think Covid has killed my cozy vibe. I'm just not really liking any lately. I couldn't concentrate long enough to finish this one.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley
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Murder in the Cookbook Nook by Ellery Adams
My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay.
Book 7 in the series.
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.* I mention this early, because there were A LOT of typos/errors in the version I read, and they really distracted me from the story.
Errors aside, I honestly can't put my finger on one single thing that I didn't like, I just couldn't focus on the story. I think maybe I am growing out of cozy mysteries or I am in a reading slump, because I've had a hard time with a lot of books lately.
BUT, I am still having issues with the whole Edwin relationship and his "real" profession. Stick in an "influencer" and I just found myself annoyed.
It's too bad, because I loved Bake Off and thought the idea for this was fun. Add in a surprise appearance of a crossover character from a defunct series and I should have loved it.
I think I may take a break from cozies for a bit.
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Southern Sass and a Battered Bride by Kate Young
My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay.
Book 3 in the series.
Not a great place to start. While the author does attempt to fill in some background, there's just too much going on that I feel like I missed.
The characters are mostly fun, though the MC's best friend, Betsy, is so over the top Southern that I really would like to smack her. She's really just too much.
All in all, the book was okay, but it certainly didn't make me want to double back and read the previous two.
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*
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A Tale of Two Cookies by Eve Calder
My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.
Book 3 in the series.
I didn't realize when I requested this book that it was book 3. I prefer to start from the beginning, but I didn't have any problems getting in to this story.
The characters were fun, and some of the situations made me laugh out loud. I thought the mystery of the missing bride groom was interesting and didn't want to put it down until I finished. Lucky for me, it was a fast, easy, read.
I'm looking forward to more from this author.
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*
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Wining and Dying by Daryl Wood Gerber
My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay. Ish.
Book 10 in the series.
An improvement over the previous book, but not by a lot. I was at least able to finish this one. The last several books just don't quite have the charm of the previous ones, and Jenna has become the Too Stupid to Live heroine a few too many times, so that's frustrating.
I think I might be done with this series. It just really doesn't "spark joy," for me any longer.
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*
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Knitty Gritty Murder by Peggy Ehrhart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars, Really 3.5 stars, but I really liked it.
Book 7 in the series. While this book can be read as a stand alone, there are a lot of characters and you'll be happier if you start from the beginning.
I have read just about every knitting mystery series there is, and this series is one of the keepers. It took me a bit of time in the first book to warm up to them, but now I happily greet each new book in the series. And this one is probably my favorite so far. Can you beat death by circular needle?!
The Knit and Nibblers are a lovely group, with Pamela and Bettina taking the main character spots, and of course the cats always add more fun with their brief appearances. This book added gardening to the knitting and I was sold.
My only complaint about the series is the author still goes in to way too much detail about the food that gets served at each get together.
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*
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Picture Perfect Frame by Lynn Cahoon
Double or Muffin by Victoria Hamilton
A Stranger in Town by Kelley Armstrong
Ink and Shadows by Ellery Adams
My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.
Book one in the series, though it was introduced by a novella length story previously.
I like the characters, and I like the potential. There's some character building and world building to be done yet, but that's pretty typical for "First in the series," books.
One thing I didn't like though, was the "cliffhanger"ish foreshadowing. I'm going to read the next book, you don't need to leave me in suspense as to what evil might be lurking in the shadows, like some 70s tv show.
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*
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Death Bee Comes Her by Nancy CoCo
A Curious Incident by Vicki Delany
My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it!
Book 6 in the series.
A very pleasant surprise!
I'll be honest, I wasn't a fan when I read the first book, and really only asked for this one because I quite frankly didn't realize it was part of that series until I started reading. But right away, my biggest complaint was made moot. Gemma is much more likeable in this book than she was in the first, and her first interaction with a child made me smile. She still comes off as unsympathetic sometimes, but at least it's tempered by other things.
The small mystery at the beginning was cute, and the main mystery was interesting and well plotted out.
I actually look forward to more books in this series, now.
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*
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Bait and Witch by Angela M. Sanders
My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was an okay start to a new series.
First in the series.
A cute, quick, and very light read, without a lot of serious substance. A typical first in the series, and getting to know the main characters.
I like that it was set in an old Victorian building turned in to a library. Some of the back story was a bit over the top, but I could overlook that.
I look forward to book 2
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*
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Grounds for Murder by Tara Lush
My rating: 1 of 5 stars, Did not like, didn't finish.
Book 1 in a new series.
I just couldn't make myself care about any of the characters in the book. The main character was pretty pathetic, and the murder victim was a jerk. I finally skipped to the end, just to see who won the barista contest. (view spoiler)
After literal months of leaving this book on a back burner, I had to actually go read the blurb again, because nothing about it stuck with me. And when I did, I thought,"Oh yeah, that book. DNF."
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*
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