Top Ten Tuesday (On a Thursday) - Cozy Mysteries Completed in 2023

Happy World Book Day! Happy Read Across America Day! And Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

This blog hop is brought to us by That Artsy Reader Girl. On her blog you will see links to the blogs of others who are participating in Top Ten Tuesday. 

Today's topic is a genre freebie. We pick a genre and build a list around it. I am choosing to share a recap and ranking of all the books I've completed (I won't say read because I've listened to some of them on audiobook) so far this year in my favorite genre, cozy mysteries. This isn't really a top ten list since I've only completed seven so far.

Here they are from my least favorite to favorite:

Lending a Paw (Bookmobile Cat Mystery 1), by Laurie Cass (Click here to read my review.)

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This is definitely a character-driven, rather than plot-driven book, which is not uncommon in a first in series. It is important to get to know the characters, but I prefer more sleuthing than this book had to offer. However, I did find the town and characters charming and because of that I am planning to continue the series.

Pies and Prejudice (Charmed Pie Shoppe Mystery 1), by Ellery Adams

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I wanted to love this book. I was excited about the reference to Pride and Prejudice and I love the premise of the series with the magical pies. I rated it lower, however, because it contains frequent cursing. Because of that, I most likely will not continue this series. I do want to read more books by Ellery Adams, though.

Buried in the Stacks (Haunted Library Mystery 3), by Allison Brook

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I have enjoyed this series from the beginning and I will definitely continue it. This one contained more serious themes, so it wasn't my favorite in the series, but I'm still excited to read more.

Survival of the Fritters (Deputy Donut Mystery 1), by Ginger Bolton

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This is a fun first in series that has a torbie cat in it. I think of all the cozies I've read with pets in them, this is my favorite cat. I will continue this series (and not just because of the cat).

Assault and Pepper (Spice Shop Mystery 1), by Leslie Budewitz 

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What a delightful book this is! I listened to the audiobook, but I want to read the print version in the fall (when it takes place) because I think I will enjoy that format even more. It's also informative, with little tidbits of information at the beginning of each chapter. I thoroughly enjoyed the description of all the spices throughout the story. This book awakened my senses.

Cheddar Late Than Dead (Grilled Cheese Mystery 3), by Linda Reilly (Click here to read my review.)

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I have loved this series from the beginning and I'm so glad there will be more! This is the strongest one in the series, with many of the same likeable characters and a more complex mystery.

Eclair and Present Danger (Emergency Dessert Squad Mystery 1), by Laura Bradford

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The premise of the Emergency Dessert Squad is different than in any other cozy I've read and this book reminds me of why I fell in love with the cozy mystery genre. It has the same vibe as the Hannah Swensen Mysteries, by Joanne Fluke, but with a creative twist on the bakery.

Have you read any of these or do any of them seem like you might want to read them? What is your favorite book so far this year?