Bakeries and Buffoonery (Magical Mystery Book Club 4), by Elizabeth Pantley

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I recently read Shifting and Shenanigans (Magical Mystery Book Club 1), by Elizabeth Pantley. It had been on my TBR list for a while. I imagined I would really enjoy it, but it actually exceeded my expectations. I knew I wanted to continue reading the series.

It is rare for me to not read a series in order. I usually prefer to follow the subplots as they happen. However, I was recently tasked with a challenge to read a bakery-themed cozy mystery. Since I knew I would eventually read this one anyway and because the main characters experience a new book within each book, I decided to read Bakeries and Buffoonery (Magical Mystery Book Club 4). I knew this one also featured fairies, which I love, so for that reason also I was really excited to read it.

By this fourth book in the series, it is well-established that when the book club members read aloud the first part of a book from the magical library, they become characters in that book. In order to get out of the book, the mystery must be solved. At this point, they are voluntarily doing this. It's no accident that they end up in these books. But don't worry. Their Snapdragon Inn where the book club is held ends up in the book with them. They don't necessarily know where the inn is when they arrive in the book, though. However, they do eventually find it. Their new fictional world also comes with all of their basic survival needs or the means to obtain them.

The murder mystery in Bakeries and Buffoonery is a little different than what we normally see in a cozy. When the book club members enter the book, they are aware that several murders have already taken place in the small town over the past few years. They are trying to catch a serial killer before another murder occurs. What makes this even more unique is that the book they are reading, which of course is the book they enter, is narrated by the killer.  They just don't know exactly who that killer is. In order to really get a feel for what's going on in the town, the club members enter the annual baking competition that takes place over several days. Using the clues from the portion of the book they read and sleuthing while in the town, they work together with the town's inspector from the book within the book to try and catch the killer.

Having skipped books 2 and 3 (for now), there were a couple of new main characters in this book. The author did a great job giving us enough information to know who they are, but not spoiling anything from previous books. I did not feel lost at all not knowing their full backstory. It just made me curious, and now I have an even stronger desire to go back and read the two previous books that I skipped.

In addition to the two new main characters, we are reunited with all of the other ones I met in book 1, Shifting and Shenanigans. This includes Frank, the talking cat. There are hints of curiosity about his backstory, which I understand is revealed in a later book in the series. There are also more tidbits of information revealed about other members of the book club. Just when we think we really know them, we learn something new.

The book club members are the usual eclectic group coming from various backgrounds and ranging in age from teenager to octogenarian. They work together to solve the mystery, but they also divide and conquer when necessary. It's the perfect example of teamwork. Their banter in between the sleuthing is likely to make you laugh until you cry.

When it's just the book club members chatting, they often meet in the magical library at the Snapdragon Inn. As I mentioned in my review of Shifting and Shenanigans, there are stairs to get down into the library, which would prevent some people with mobility impairments from entering. My hope is in a future installment we find out there is an elevator or perhaps a stair lift to assist those with mobility impairments. I want to imagine myself in the magical library, but I can only do that if it's accessible.

When they enter the fairy world in Bakeries and Buffoonery, they soon realize there are a plethora of suspects with motives and means. I had some suspects in mind as the culprit, but I changed my mind a few times until about the 90% mark when I zeroed in on the real killer. It was soon after that when the gripping big reveal came.

If you enjoy baking cozies with a dash of magic, I'm confident you will devour Bakeries and Buffoonery. There are a lot of mouth-watering descriptions of all the cakes that are made for the competition. It is quite entertaining to watch the book club members make their cakes. They certainly do enjoy the process! There are no recipes in the back of the book as there often are in bakery-themed cozies, but throughout the story there are plenty of ideas to get your baking wheels turning.

The only sad part about reading "The End" in each installment in this series is that we leave behind characters we've come to connect with. I really like the way the author handles the emotional side of this. Much like saying goodbye to people we love in real life, it's bittersweet when we know they will have their happily ever after (this is not a spoiler - cozies always have happy endings, except for the culprit), but we also know how much we will miss them.

But the good news is that there are currently 11 books in this Magical Mystery Book Club series. That's 11 different (to my knowledge) cozy worlds to visit! That means no one can make the argument that the murder rate in any one town is high. 

Another book that is somewhat of a spinoff of this series has also been released. That one is called Flimflam Fairy. It's the first book in the new Magical Cozy Mystery Bookstore series. I'm currently reading it and loving it! I'll be part of of a blog tour for this book in September, so stay tuned for that!

In the meantime, I hope you'll give this series a try if you haven't already. Like me, you can easily jump in with any book in the series. You are likely to meet characters you don't know, but you'll quickly get to know them. One of the best things about this series is that the book club reads and enters a different cozy mystery with each installment, so the subplots are minimal. The language is clean (no swearing) and they contain all of the other elements we love about cozies.

Shifting and Shenanigans (Magical Mystery Book Club 1), by Elizabeth Pantley

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I have had Elizabeth Pantley's Magical Mystery Book Club series on my TBR ever since the first book was published a few years ago. In fact, I have had most of the series in my Kindle library for a while. When I found out she would soon be publishing a spin-off series, I decided it's time to dive in.

Shifting and Shenanigans introduces us to Paige and her Aunt Glo who have just inherited the Snapdragon Inn from Paige's great aunt GeeGee. Now that Paige and Glo own the inn, they finally have access to a secret library that GeeGee kept locked. This was where GeeGee held her book club meetings. But these weren't just any book club meetings. These were magical book clubs in that the members were transported into the books. In order for book club members get back home, the mystery had be solved. 

But Paige and Glo don't know about this until it happens to them. It isn't long before the newly formed eclectic eight-member book club is transported into their first cozy mystery, along with Frank the sassy talking siamese cat. Frank and one other member have already been a part of the book club, but of course why ruin the surprise for everyone else? They don't tell the other members that they will be transported until it actually happens. Along the way, they do reassure the other members, but since every book is different, they don't know exactly how everything will turn out. No one knows how everything will unfold because the book is being written as the book club members are experiencing it.

I had high hopes for this book and it exceeded my expectations. For me, the characters are important in getting me hooked on a story. I want to feel like I can be friends with them. Especially if it's a series, I need to have the desire to spend time with them. That was no problem here! This is a diverse group of people, all from different types of backgrounds, all with different personalities, and all bringing something unique to the club. There is also a wide range of ages. Even within this first book, I can already see growth in them. They are learning to work with each other and they are all showing growth within themselves as well. Frank, the cat, is also an important character. He provides both guidance and comedy. Although he speaks like a human, he also has typical cat tendencies, like randomly licking his paw. The entire group is chaotic in the most charming way.

Of course, with this being a cozy, we have to talk about the mystery. It was well-crafted with plenty of suspects to consider. The victim was not liked by anyone so really, anyone could have committed the crime. There was a bit of a twist close to the end that I didn't see coming (though in retrospect, I should have), which explain the circumstances of the victim's death. It was quite clever and entertaining. I did not figure out the whodunnit. Perhaps a few more "breadcrumbs" might have helped, but at the same time, I was on the edge of my seat waiting to find out how it would all unfold. And I loved the way the mystery wrapped up. It was different that anything I've read in a cozy mystery.

Apart from the mystery, there was a romantic subplot that I was genuinely curious how it was going to unfold. Remember, this is not your average cozy mystery. The characters are in the book...until the mystery is solved. Then what happens? What if they get attached to people in the book's town? You'll have to read this book to find out. It may or may not have brought tears to my eyes.

The setting at the Snapdragon Inn is cozy and charming. My one question about it, though, is regarding accessibility. Is it accessible for those with mobility impairments? I would love to visualize myself at the Inn, but it's difficult to do with all the talk of stairs. Unless there's another way to get there, I would struggle to get down to the library. Perhaps in future installments, we'll find out that maybe there's a chair lift that attaches to the railing that could take people like me down there.

Since the club members will experience a different book each time, the setting for the mystery will always change. There is a strong sense of community in Shifting and Shenanigans, which I loved. The people there are loveable and I'd want to visit. The only problem is, I wouldn't want to leave when it was time to say goodbye.

There are currently 11 books in the Magical Mystery Book Club series, with the 11th one just having been published recently. As I mentioned earlier, a spinoff series has also begun.  I have plans to read all of these. If you enjoy clean, light-hearted cozy mysteries with a bit of magic in them, I highly recommend Shifting and Shenanigans, by Elizabeth Pantley. I'm confident you'll be glad you joined the book club.

Get a Candle on Crime (Glenmyre Whim Mystery 4), by Sarah E. Burr

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It's Christmastime in Crucible! Since the moment I read the jaw-dropping last sentence in the third installment in the Glenmyre Whim Mysteries, Flying off the Candle, I've been waiting for book 4. The cliffhanger and the fact that this is my favorite series written by Sarah E. Burr left me wanting more. So of course I jumped at the chance to read an eARC.

Book 4, Get a Candle on Crime, begins in the midst of a widespread power outage in Crucible. To bring a little light into their lives, the town's residents are flocking to A Wick in Time, the candle store owned by Hazel and her aunt Poppy. Unfortunately, things turn deadly when a body is found behind their store and one of their handmade candles is the murder weapon. Hazel and Poppy are determined to get to the bottom of this murder investigation where they uncover secrets and a scandal they didn't see coming.

This book makes one ponder the question, "What if...?" I'm not going to go into exactly what happened at end of the previous book because I don't want to share spoilers, but I will say it changes the way the Glenmyre Girls must proceed with this investigation and with their lives. I was a little concerned about how much I was going to enjoy this new (and possibly temporary) direction, but I ended up appreciating it in a way I never have before in a cozy mystery. It caused me to reflect on my own life and ask "What if..."

The mystery is strong in every way. There are several viable suspects with motives. There was misdirection and red herrings that made it a fun mystery to try and untangle. In the end, I was surprised at the whodunnit, yet, in retrospect, all the clues were there. I figured it out right about the same time Hazel did. Even after Hazel and I figured it, I was on the edge of my seat waiting to find out how they were going to address the culprit. 

I also loved how the themes of the series played roles in the mystery. All I'm going to say is that it covered both themes of the candle shop and the Glenmyre Whims. I really appreciate when the overall theme of a cozy mystery series is part of the mystery.

In this installment, we meet the suspects, but we're also reunited with the main cast of characters. There are also some supporting characters that I love to see. One thing you can be sure of in any book that Sarah E. Burr writes is that everyone will feel welcome. The worlds she creates are diverse and accessible. Most personal to me in this series, and specifically in Get a Candle on Crime, is Holly. Holly is a wheelchair user who works at the police department and she has children. She is disabled and she's just going about her life with everyone else in Crucible. Often in books, disabled characters are elderly, which is fine, or they're ill. It's refreshing to see someone like Holly who is healthy, younger, working a day job, and being a mom. She represents so many of my friends. I don't want to downplay the struggles that the disabled community experiences, because that is real, but we also live our lives. 

Since the detective, Holden, is related to the Glenmyre girls, he has a unique relationship with them. He is concerned about their well-being, but he also discreetly does what he can to help them with their part in the investigation.

Just like there is just a touch of paranormal, there is also just a touch of romance in this installment. I like the way things are progressing for the main characters. One of the Glenmyre girls faces some unique challenges in this installment. It was refreshing to see the way she navigates through them and how her loved ones support and encourage her.

As I mentioned earlier, this book is set around Christmastime, and the festive atmosphere is captured perfectly. The merry mood is well-balanced with the challenges of the season, too, with the power outage and the weather. If you enjoy Christmas-themed cozies, you will enjoy the festivities happening around Crucible.

I'm glad to see there will be a fifth installment in this series. There's so much more to uncover regarding the Glenmyre girls. There are certain issues that are unresolved. While not every issue needs to be tied up in a neat bow, I would like to see them addressed in future installments. The Glenmyre Opus is very briefly referenced at the end of this book. I want to know what's inside! 

If you haven't read any previous books in this series, you won't feel lost if you jump in here. Sarah E. Burr does a great job of catching us up on everything without spending too much time on their history. And as with most cozy mysteries, this is a self-contained mystery that is solved at the end of the book.

 

However, there are events leading up to this book, so if you don't want spoilers and if you want to follow the character development, I recommend starting with book 1, You Can't Candle the Truth, and reading the series in order.

Thank you to Booksprout and author Sarah E. Burr for providing me with an eARC of this book.

Tides Wait for No Witch (Spelltide Bay Magic Mystery 1), by Natalie Summers

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So, I will admit, the one thing that pulled me into this book was finding out that it had a sea otter in it. I was already hooked from this alone, but I also loved the fact that a witch (okay, a half witch) was a main character. And look at how gorgeous that cover is! They say don't judge a book by its cover. Well, I say, why not? So based on all of that, I dove into Tides Wait for No Witch, never before having read anything else by Natalie Summers. I'm happy to say, it exceeded my expectations.

Sara Rivers has inherited a house from a great aunt she never met. Her plan was to stay in the house for six months so she could get the inheritance, sell it, then move on to whatever came next. Life had other plans for Sara.

While there, she discovers that the island is magical, she is half undine and half witch, she's inherited a game shop along with the house, and she has a family history of secrets never before uncovered. 

Until now. 

A journal that she found in the house leads Sara to believe that maybe her great aunt's death wasn't due to a heart attack on the beach, as everyone around town has been saying. And then another dead body turns up. Sara realizes she needs to get to the bottom of everything before someone else becomes a victim.

This book was the warm hug I didn't know I needed. The descriptive words about the setting made me feel like I was there soaking in the beauty the way Sara did. It felt refreshing during these hot summer days. 

While the story certainly does revolve around a compelling mystery, found family is at the heart of it. It isn't long before Sara discovers she has family, something she's truly never had before. Not like this anyway. This family is chaotic, but caring. I loved getting to know each and every one of them, and whenever they got together, it made my heart so happy. They made me cry tears of joy, and at times, tears of laughter. The are supportive of Sara every step of the way.

I mentioned earlier that there's a sea otter, one who is prominently shown on the cover of the book. I wondered how this talking sea otter, who also happens to be a kleptomaniac, would be portrayed. How could he possibly mingle with the land characters? Ollie, that's the sea otter's name, is perfectly included in this story. He isn't in as many scenes as I thought he would be, but when he does appear, he really makes a statement. Quite literally, actually. This character could have just been silly, but he wasn't. He was funny, but not over-the-top. He was also quite charming. I couldn't help but love him.

There are quite a few characters who have different magical abilities. There's even a gnome! I love gnomes, so I was delighted to meet this character. He's grumpy, but friendly. He's absolutely perfect. Every character, in fact, was well-crafted.

There's also the subplot of Sara learning the ropes of her magical ability. She's gone from not even knowing magic existed to realizing she is capable of making magic happen. It's complicated being half undine and half witch, so she has someone who teaches her all about it. Her teacher is tough on her, but she's also very likeable. All of the characters are multi-dimensional and Sara's instructor is certainly no exception.

Sometimes in magical cozies, I find the magic to be overwhelming. I did not feel that way while reading this book. The rules of the magic were gradually introduced. We were learning about it at the same time Sara was. It was just the right amount magic that made me curious and left me entertained. While the characters are an eclectic mix of magical beings, they also felt human and relatable. This is important to me. Even in a fantasy world, I want to be able to connect with the characters.

If you like romance in your cozies, there is a budding relationship. It's quite entertaining to see Sara swoon over her love interest. He may or may not be swooning over her as well. You'll have to read to find out how all of that unfolds. I like where it's going.

All that aside, a cozy mystery is not much without...well... a mystery, and we have a solid one in Tides Wait for No Witch. On top of being a "fish out of water" in Spelltide Bay, Sara has a mystery to solve. She makes for a very likeable and intelligent amateur sleuth. There are plenty of suspects to consider, but not too many to overwhelm the reader. There are also lots of unexpected twists and turns along the way. In the end, I did not figure it out. I was surprised at the whodunnit, but it came to a logical conclusion. However, it didn't even end there. There was still lots of suspenseful action even after Sara figured it out.

While going through all of this, Sara finds comfort in crocheting. She finds the repetitive hand motions relaxing and it also helps her to process her thoughts. I have never been a crocheter myself, but I loved these scenes. Just reading about her crocheting made me feel more relaxed. I also appreciated the brief mention of mental health regarding another character. Seeking professional help is okay and often necessary, even when you're not going through all of the events like what are in this book.

This book is mostly free from foul language. There was only one use of it that I noticed and it was close to the end. While I prefer cozies to be completely free from swearing and I did find this one word jarring, I'm glad it only happened once.

There is a cliffhanger at the end and I'm glad to know the next book is set to release later this year. Even before I read the cliffhanger, I knew this was a series I'd want to continue reading. Tides Wait for No Witch was a definite page-turner. At the end of every chapter, I was eager to find out what would happen next. Each chapter ends at a logical point and they were just to right length for my attention span. They were not too long and not too short. Each chapter felt complete, while still leaving me wanting to find out what happened next. 

I already feel like the main characters are my friends and I want to spend more time with them. I am also going to look into other books written by Natalie Summers. If you enjoy magical cozy mysteries, found family, and all of the other aspects I mentioned, I highly recommend picking up Tides Wait for No Witch. I'm confident you'll be glad you did.

Thank you to Booksprout for providing me with an eARC of this book.

Witches, Walkie-Takies, and Warnings (Bewitcher's Beach Mystery 6), by Emily Fluke

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Note: While the the book has "Walkies" printed on the cover, everywhere else I look has it has "Walkie" in the title, so I will use the latter in my review.

I always get excited when another Bewitcher's Beach Mystery, by Emily Fluke, is released. This series has really evolved since the first installment, Magic, Movies, and Murder. While Witches, Walkie-Talkies, and Warnings is still very much a cozy series, the mystery aspect is a different than the norm and it's heavier on the magical elements than it was in the beginning.

In this sixth installment, Noema finally meets a long lost family member. Unfortunately, her newly found loved one is kidnapped. It's a race against time to save them and find out who's behind this mystery. Good thing she has a trusty friend (or more than a friend) by her side.

When I recommend cozies, I usually say they are self-contained mysteries, which means the mystery starts and ends in each book. However, I also recommend starting with the first one in the series if you want to follow the character growth and subplots. In the case of The Bewitcher's Beach Mysteries, especially with this sixth one, Witches, Walkie-Talkies, and Warnings, it's even more important to start at the beginning and read them in order. There are several major spoilers in this installment.  If you've read the previous installments, you'll be delighted to see those references, but if you haven't read the earlier books, some of the mysteries will be spoiled if you read this one first.

This is a mostly clean cozy mystery. There were one or two instances of strong language that I prefer not to read in cozies, but it was toned down quite a bit in this installment compared to the previous one. One of my struggles with this book was that the magic was a little confusing to me. I didn't understand the complexities of it all. However, when I stopped trying to figure everything out, I enjoyed the ride much more.

One of the highlights of this series for me is the character development and the eclectic mix of paranormal characters. It is a joy to see them all interact with each other. Noema is a single mom with several pups. There was a love triangle, but this installment has Noema feeling sure that she has romantic feelings for only one of them. One character I really missed again in this installment was Squeaks, the family's pet mouse. Squeaks was mentioned, but I missed seeing more of him.

This series is set in the 1990's. The earlier books are stronger with the nostalgia. It's still present in Witches, Walkie-Talkies, and Warnings, though not as prominent. It was one of the aspects that drew me to the series in the beginning, so I really miss that.

One aspect that has remained prominent is that Noema shifts from human form to wolf form when it becomes necessary. I'm always amused at how this transpires. Emily Fluke's vivid descriptions of this and the setting in general really pull me in. Noema also continues to use her strong sense of smell when she sniffs out emotions to help her get a feel for whether or not characters are telling the truth. It's a helpful gift to have when you're an amateur sleuth. 

Fans of this series will not want to miss Witches, Walkie-Talkies, and Warnings. It's a strong addition to the Bewitcher's Beach Mystery series that moves forward with Noema's journey. It's set in the fall leading up to Halloween, but it can certainly be enjoyed anytime of the year. There will be one more installment to conclude the series and I look forward to reading it when it's released. 

Thank you to author Emily Fluke for providing me with an eARC of this book.

Wedding Cake Murder (Hannah Swensen Mystery 19), by Joanne Fluke

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The Hannah Swensen Mysteries, by Joanne Fluke, are what ignited my love of cozies and of reading in general. After discovering Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder, I was hooked. I proceeded to read several books in the series, but after a while, I wanted to explore more books in the genre. So I paused the series. It has always been my intention to finish it and I'm happy to say I've resumed reading them.

This 19th installment sees Hannah preparing for her wedding. But that's not all. Hannah is also entering a dessert chef competition, hosted by the Food Channel. For this big event, she is traveling to New York City. When Hannah wins the Hometown Challenge (of course she does!), the remainder of the competition comes to Lake Eden, Minnesota, where she owns The Cookie Jar. Unfortunately, one of the judges is found stabbed to death. Hannah once again embarks on a mission to bring the killer to justice.

I always enjoy visiting with Hannah and her friends and family. It feels like coming home, which is comforting to me. I love their conversations, especially when talking about food. The descriptions sound delectable. While I'm not a baker myself, I can almost taste the goodies just from reading about them. The main setting in Lake Eden also feels cozy, although I appreciated that in this installment, Hannah ventured away from home for a little while.

The mystery had potential. The stakes were high enough and there were several viable suspects to consider. I did not figure out who the culprit was, but I believe that was due to the lack of time spent on the mystery.

That's the main issue I had with this book - the structure. The first half of the book is almost entirely about Hannah's upcoming wedding, the competition, and all the foodie talk. There are several chapters that end with recipes. This happens through the end of the book. Once the mystery did pick up, I was really excited to dive into it. Unfortunately, even when it did come up in the second half of the book, a good portion was still spent talking about Hannah's wedding, the competition, and the recipes. I'm probably in the minority when I say I don't mind that the recipes come at the end of the chapters and not at the end of the book. I think it's fun to read the recipes when they're talked about in the context of the story. The problem was that there were so many of them. And while I enjoyed all the wedding, competition, and foodie talk, it took a lot of time away from the mystery.

Since this is the series that got me hooked on cozies and I still love spending time with the characters, I will continue reading them. If you've read the series through book 18, you'll likely want to continue with Wedding Cake Murder, even though it's one of the weaker ones in the series structure-wise. If you've never read the series, however, I recommend starting with a stronger installment from earlier in the series. You can certainly read this one and not feel lost. Just know that there are stronger installments before this one. And as with most cozies, you'll appreciate the character development more if you start at the beginning.

Pour Choices (Mixology Lounge Mystery 2), by Adrian Andover

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The award-winning debut cozy mystery by Adrian Andover, Whiskey Business, was released last year. However, I didn't read it until earlier this year. I loved it so much and I was happy I didn't have to wait long for the second one, Pour Choices. This is a strong follow-up to Whiskey Business.

Pour Choices takes place in August, a few months following the events in Whiskey Business.  Mixologist Reece Parker hosts the first ever comedy night at his literary-themed speakeasy, Subplot, in Hope Mills Pennsylvania. The next morning, Reece's best friend, Nate, finds the star of the show dead in the Delaware River. With Nate as the prime suspect in this murder investigation, Reece is determined to find out who the real killer is. Did the popular comedian take her jokes too far or was there another motive that lead to her demise?

I am a huge fan of when weather plays a role in cozies. The heat and humidity in August come up several times in this book. Now, I am not a fan of summer weather at all. However, we are given a respite when Reece mentions the coolness of being in the A/C. It's also mentioned by one of the customers. Reece also talks about looking forward to fall weather and fall beverages. I could feel the relief from the heat as I was reading these descriptions and I'm officially ready for fall.

There is a strong sense of community in Hope Mills. Small businesses in the town support each other. There's even talk about a collaboration with a couple of them. The strong reputation of the local culinary scene is mentioned. I would love to see more of this. Foodie talk always feels cozy to me and I want to know where I'll be dining when I visit.

The main characters feel like they could be friends. I enjoyed the rapport Reece has with his co-workers and friends, but I especially adore the relationship he has with his parents. Reece's visits with the retired couple are some of my favorite scenes in the book. They feel comforting to me because he gets along so well with them.

The suspects were interesting to get to know. Juicy secrets about them were uncovered as Reece conducted his own informal investigation. There were just enough suspects to consider and I never felt overwhelmed by the number of characters. 

Since Reece is recently coming to terms with his sexuality, he is taking it slow with his love interest. He wants to move on with his life and he's definitely interested in someone. However, he's treading carefully. The romance is moving at a comfortable pace that feels natural. I also love that he still has a close friendship with his ex-girlfriend Chloe. They have so much respect for each other.

A mystery of sorts begins right at the beginning of this book, which immediately pulled me in. The main mystery is well-crafted and well-paced. I had a hunch early in the book who the culprit was, which turned out to be correct. However, there really were a number of suspects who could have committed the crime. It was fun to watch Reece follow the clues that led to the big reveal. There were red herrings, twists, and turns that made it an entertaining ride. 

Reece's warmth extends to his customers, as he offers both cocktails and mocktails at Subplot. As someone who does not drink alcohol, I appreciate this. It feels like a cozy establishment that I would enjoy. The descriptions of the beverages sound delightful.

As someone with a physical disability, however, I'm not sure how I would be able to enter Subplot. The main entrance has stairs, as shown on the cover of the book. The ground level back entrance feels unsafe and has gravel on the ground, which is not suitable for those with mobility impairments.  All of this can be rectified by adding a lift to the stairs that folds up when not in use, making sure the back door is not too heavy, and creating a smooth paved surface instead of gravel. The ground level door could then be used as an emergency exit. My hope is that renovations will be made in a future installment so that I can visualize myself safely entering Subplot. Just like in real life, I would love to see the accessible entrance front and center with the entrance everyone else uses. 

While the accessibility issue is important for inclusivity, it did not take away from my overall enjoyment of the book. I loved it and I cannot wait for the next one. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, I highly recommend this Mixology Lounge series, by Adrian Andover, beginning with Whiskey Business and reading them in order. The mysteries are self-contained in each book, but you will appreciate the character development more if you read them in order. This series is the perfect blend of cozy and mystery.

Thank you to author Adrian Andover for providing me with an eARC of Pour Choices.

Between a Roquefort and a Hard Place (Grilled Cheese Mystery 7), by Linda Reilly

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I have been enjoying the Grilled Cheese Mystery series since book 1, Up to No Gouda. So I'm very happy that author Linda Reilly has continued writing them. She rises to the challenge of allowing the main characters' lives to evolve, while keeping with the comforting feeling of coming home to familiar friends. This combined with a compelling mystery made the seventh installment, Between a Roquefort and a Hard Place, a favorite of mine in the series.

Carly, owner of Carly's Grilled Cheese Eatery, is asked by the elderly owner of a historic mansion to make one of her popular grilled cheese sandwiches. Carly enjoys spending time with the owner and she loves being in the mansion that feels like it's from Downton Abbey. So she agrees to make the sandwich at the mansion.

Meanwhile, Carly's husband, Ari, has been hired to do some rewiring in the mansion while it undergoes major renovations. When one of the contractors falls to his death, Ari is the prime suspect in what becomes a murder investigation. Naturally, Carly knows her husband is not capable of such foul play, so she sets out to do some sleuthing of her own to clear his name and find out who the real culprit is.

I had a great time revisiting the cozy town of Balsam Dell, Vermont and everyone in Carly's close knit circle. Carly is one of the most kind-hearted main characters I've ever read in a cozy, although sometimes I think she needs to say no to other people's requests more often. It always feels like I'm hanging out with old friends when I'm there. I did feel the detective was a little too harsh with Carly, but this was addressed beautifully later in the book. While some characters from earlier in the series have moved on with their lives outside of the eatery and out of state, they still make brief appearances, or they are at least mentioned. This feels like real life to me. Throughout our lives, we meet people who eventually move away. However, we may still keep in touch with them and occasionally see them. 

I also had fun getting to know the suspects. They had depth, history, and secrets to uncover. The victim wasn't someone who easily made friends, so there are multiple people who could have wanted to see him gone. There were several viable suspects with possible motives and opportunity. I had a hunch early in the book who the culprit was, which turned out to be correct. However, there were enough twists and turns that made me question who I thought it was a few times. I really enjoyed the big reveal, which in itself had a bit of a twist.

The historic mansion combined with major renovations made for a great setting in this mystery. I could visualize the layout of the rooms, as well as the decor. There were times when I was confused about the overall floorplan of the mansion, but I just went along for the ride.  Another aspect of the mystery I enjoyed was the jigsaw puzzle. Those who know me, know how much I love jigsaw puzzles. Adding this to a cozy and making it part of the story was absolute perfection!

There is a light-hearted subplot in this installment, which balanced out the seriousness of the mystery. It involved a grilled cheese competition. I loved reading about the mouth-watering creations. It made me wish I was there to taste-test all of them with Carly and her co-workers.

Since Carly and Ari were recently married, there is a new dynamic with there relationship. They clearly love and respect each other, and it was obvious they have great communication. It was fun to read about their day-to-day lives, even something as simple as what they were having for dinner. I also enjoyed reading about another possible budding romance with two of the characters. I'm equally invested in their relationship as I have been with Carly and Ari.

There was only one thing in this installment that felt jarring and out of place for me, and that was one instance of mild swearing. With this being the seventh book in the swearing and not a single swear word before now that I can remember, I've come to expect this series to be completely clean in that respect. So while it doesn't take anything away from the story and it fit in the context, it still felt off for me. I'm hoping this isn't an indication of where the series is going because I prefer cozies to be completely free of swear words.

As with every installment, there are a few mouth-watering recipes at the end of the book. I love how the story behind each one was part of the subplot in the book. And I learned something new. Before reading this book, I had never heard of Roquefort cheese before. Now I'll have to try it!

As I say with most cozies, Between a Roquefort and a Hard Place is a self-contained mystery. You can easily start with this book and not feel lost in the series. However, I'm confident you'll want to go back and read all previous installments to find out how the characters and their relationships have evolved.

Thank you to NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for providing me with an eARC of this book.

Where the Light Shines Through (Olivia Penn Mystery 1), by Kathleen Bailey

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I was introduced to and had the opportunity to chat with author Kathleen Bailey at Malice Domestic this year. After meeting her and looking into her Olivia Penn series, I knew this was one I had to pick up. I love the cover and the premise seemed interesting.

In this first installment in the series, Where the Light Shines Through, Olivia Penn is heading back to her hometown of Apple Station, Virginia to visit her family and friends for one week before embarking on a new publishing career in New York City. Unfortunately, it isn't long before a dead body is found and her childhood friend is the prime suspect in this murder investigation. As she sets out to untangle this mystery and clear her friend's name, she discovers secrets she didn't see coming.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. One of the main elements that keeps me coming back to a series are the characters. I want to feel like I can be friends with them. If I'm going to be reading the series, I need to enjoy spending time with them. And I did. Olivia is a caring and intelligent amateur sleuth. She's fiercely loyal to her loved ones. Her friends and family are equally likeable. 

I love that her friend is a physical therapist. This is an occupation I have never read in a cozy and it fits well into the story. As someone who has had a lot of experience in physical therapy throughout my life as a patient, I found this relatable.

The mystery is strong. I did not guess the whodunnit. It all came together logically, yet, I was still shocked by the big reveal. There were enough viable suspects that kept me guessing, but not so many that it was overwhelming. I was easily able to keep track of all of the characters.

Olivia is recovering from a recent breakup, but if you like romance in your cozies, you'll be pleased to know there may be something on the horizon. There are sparks flying. I'll have to read the rest of the series to see where this goes. 

Great care is taken with the way this book is written. It's filled with emotional depth that kept me engaged.  Besides a cozy and engaging story with wonderful characters, the descriptions are beautifully written. The author takes the concept of "show don't tell" to a new level. In addition to this, light humor is infused at just the right times.

If you enjoy mysteries where the vibes are cozy, but suspenseful where they need to be, then I highly recommend Where the Light Shines Through, by Kathleen Bailey. This is one series I will definitely continue.

A Deadly Inside Scoop (Ice Cream Parlor Mystery 1), by Abby Collette

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One of the reasons I love The Cozy Mystery Book Club is because I often discover books I may not have otherwise heard about or read. I'm being selective this year with which books I read or listen to for the book club because there are some that I know will not sit well with me. One of the things I look for is how much swearing there is in the book. I tend to really dislike books that have a lot of swearing in it. I can deal with some swearing, but none is my preference. From what I could find, A Deadly Inside Scoop had no swearing it. I liked the setting, so I decided to give it a go. 

In this first in series, Win Crewse is a recent MBA graduate and she is set to re-open the family business - an ice cream parlor. She plans to use her grandmother's recipes, as well as her own. She had planned on opening in the summer, but unforeseen circumstances caused her to push it to the fall when the snow is falling in Ohio. She decides to embrace it anyway, and open the shop during this time of year. Unfortunately, Win discovers a dead body and her father is the prime suspect. Can she help the authorities clear her father's name, find out who the real killer is, and bring her focus back to running her shop during an already challenging time of year?

When I picked up this book, I thought it would be perfect for spring with the ice cream theme. Honestly, at first I was disappointed to learn it is set in the fall. However, this disappointment quickly melted away as I embraced the idea of having ice cream in the fall the way Win did. I don't know why it bothered me so much at first. After all, I do eat ice cream any time of year.

It took me some time to warm up to some of the main characters. I really loved Win, her parents, and her grandparents. One of my favorite aspects of cozies is when the entire family is present and gets along well. I find this very comforting.

On the other hand, I didn't like the way Win's bestie was fixated on one suspect through most of the book and I also thought she was quite harsh with her feelings about the detective. However, I appreciated that Win continuously set her straight, encouraging her to not have a one-track mind and to have more respect for the detective. 

As far as the victim goes, we didn't have a lot of information on him in the beginning, but his backstory was gradually revealed, and by the end, I felt like I had a good idea of who he was. There were also enough viable suspects to consider.

The mystery took a while to get going. The crime happened fairly early in the book, but for a while, there was mostly speculation happening. Once the sleuthing and finding concrete clues got going, I was fully invested. I had a hunch who the culprit was, which turned out to be correct, but I enjoyed the ride to the big reveal.

The audiobook does not list recipes at the end, but if you read it in a different format, you will find some delicious-sounding concoctions. I do wish audiobooks would more consistently include the recipes. Everyone should be able to access them.

Until I was about 80% into this book, I was on the fence about continuing the series. However, I ended up liking the setting and characters enough that I do want to continue with it. Also, it is my understanding that the next one is set around Memorial Day, which, at the time of this writing, is coming up in a couple of weeks. So it's the perfect time of year to read or listen to it.

Let's talk ice cream. Do you prefer to eat it in the warmer months only or do you eat it year-round?

Spell to Pay (Spellbooked Magical Cozy Mystery 2), by Elle Wren Burke

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Last year, I read an ARC of What the Spell?, the first in the Spellbooked series by Elle Wren Burke. This is a magical cozy mystery that she had subscribers to her newsletter contribute to. We voted on various aspects and she incorporated the winning votes into the book. I really enjoyed the setting and characters in What the Spell?, so that made me excited to read the next one, Spell to Pay. Then I found out this second one centered around a four-day fairy wedding and I was even more interested. I love fairies, so this incorporated into a cozy mystery?! Yes, please!! Sign me up!

In this installment, Kinley Paigewright's fairy friend, Azura, is getting married. The event is sure to be epic with four days of celebrations, each one centering around a different element - earth, fire, water, and air. Unfortunately, for the couple and their guests, threats start coming in that make each event more and more dangerous. Who is sending these threats and what is their motivation? Can they be stopped before someone gets killed?

Once again, I loved the characters in this book. They all have unique personalities and I enjoyed spending time with them. However, there were a lot of them and I did frequently forget who each character was. I highlighted their names in my Kindle, but a list of the cast of characters at the beginning of the book would have been even more helpful. There is a theme among the familiars' names, so that helped me remember who they were. But there were plenty of other characters too.

The majority of the setting in this installment is quite different than in book one. I wished we spent more time in the sentient bookshop, but I did enjoy the setting for each component of the wedding event. The descriptions were so vivid that I felt like I was a guest at the wedding.

While this isn't your typical cozy mystery, it was compelling and the stakes were high enough that it held my interest from beginning to end. I also felt emotionally connected to some of the main characters. I enjoyed all the twists and turns that eventually led to the big reveal. I would have liked to see more "breadcrumbs" along the way, though. Late in the book, a lot of information was revealed all at once that felt a little overwhelming.

I was not able to figure out the whodunnit, but it made sense in the end. Part of the reason I couldn't figure out who the culprit was, was because there were so many characters and we didn't get to know them as well as I would have liked, but it was also because the mystery was so well-crafted. There were clues and misdirection that made it a fun ride. There were also quite a few humorous scenes that made me laugh out loud. Twilight, Paige's familiar, is especially comical.

I love how the author incorporates disability into this book. As a physically disabled person myself, I appreciated elements like steps that morph into a ramp if you have trouble with stairs. It was the perfect way to address accessibility in a magical cozy mystery and it made me feel like I would be welcome there. I also really appreciate the way mental health is briefly addressed with one of the supporting characters.

If you like a bit of romance in your cozies, you'll be pleased to know there is a budding relationship in Spell to Pay. The way Paige and her love interest end up attending the wedding events together was really cute and creative. Their date is done in a way that I've never seen in a cozy before.

I'm excited that a third installment in this series is in the works. I'm looking forward to seeing how the subplot unfolds and what kind of chaos will ensue next. As with most cozies, this is a self-contained mystery that is solved in the end, but in order to appreciate the growth of the characters, their relationships, and the subplots, I highly recommend starting with What the Spell? and reading them in order.

Thank you to Elle Wren Burke for providing me with an eARC of Spell to Pay.

Whiskey Business (Mixology Lounge Mystery 1), by Adrian Andover

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Last year, I was thrilled to meet Adrian Andover at Malice Domestic.  At the time, Whiskey Business, his debut novel, had not yet been published. However, early readers were raving about it and I was intrigued. I don't drink alcohol, but the premise sounded like a fun way I could imagine having drinks, especially since mocktails would be included. 

Later in the year, I was ecstatic when I was the winner of a giveaway - a signed paperback copy of Whiskey Business! This book is nominated for Best First Mystery Novel at Malice Domestic this year, so I wanted to have it read before then. I recently finished it, and I have to say I now know why it's nominated and why everyone has been raving about it.

In this first in series, Reece Parker is dealing with his recent breakup with Chloe. They had planned on getting married, but as Reece is coming to terms with his sexuality, he called it off. As a way to cope with the breakup, Reece, a mixologist, opens an underground cocktail lounge. One night, after a whiskey club meeting, Reece stumbles upon a dead body and he becomes a prime suspect in this murder investigation. To make matters worse, Chloe's big brother is an officer assigned to the case. Reece sets out to find out who the culprit really is in an effort to clear his name and save his business's reputation.

Wow! This is an exceptional debut novel! I loved the relationships. I never felt overwhelmed by the number of characters. There was a comfortable balance between getting to know them and moving the plot along. It's always a challenge to accomplish this in a first in series, but it's done perfectly here.

Although Reece and Chloe have parted ways as a romantic couple, they still get along well with each other. They support each other the way two good friends would. Chloe's brother adds an interesting layer. He is very protective of Chloe and he does have trouble accepting that Reece broke it off with her, but he's also willing to listen and talk about it. There is tension between them, but they are not enemies. Reece also has the support of his best friend Nate. Reece's parents are introduced as well and I love the scenes when they are together. All of these relationships are multi-dimensional and they really held my interest from beginning to end. I love when there are layers to characters' relationship, but not too much animosity. It made for a pleasant read. 

There was just the right amount of romance in this book. As Reece is now coming to terms with his sexuality, he is not quite sure if he's ready for another relationship. He is open to possibilities, but is taking it slow. There could be a possible love interest and I'm interested in seeing where that storyline goes.

If you enjoy fur babies in cozies, be patient. There is a feline friend who shows up later in the book. It looks like Jameson could be a permanent member of the cast going forward. I certainly hope so!

While I don't drink alcohol, I enjoyed this aspect of the book. I was interested in reading about the different cocktails they created and how they were made. It's also good to know that Subplot, the name of Reece's cocktail lounge, serves mocktails. My only question about the setting is whether or not Subplot is accessible for wheelchair users and others with mobility impairments. There are two entrances. One has stairs. The other leads to a back alley and I'm not sure the path is flat enough for everyone. I really like to imagine myself in the setting, but this is not easy to do if I'm not sure I can access it. 

The mystery is solid. There are several viable suspects and I was unable to guess the whodunnit. It was a carefully-crafted mystery, with twists and turns I didn't see coming and a conclusion that had me on the edge of my seat when all was being revealed. It all came together perfectly in the end.

If you are a fan of cozy mysteries, I highly recommend Whiskey Business, by Adrian Andover. Book two will be released in a couple of months, so you have time to catch up before then. I'm confident you won't be disappointed!

Murder in a Lavender Daze (Aroma Wellness Mystery 2), by Daryl Wood Gerber

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I really enjoyed the first book in the Aroma Wellness mystery series, Essence of Foul Play, by Daryl Wood Gerber. From the moment I closed that book, I was eagerly anticipating the second one. So I was thrilled when I was offered an ARC of Murder in a Lavender Daze. Like the first one, it's a great combination of relaxation (the aroma wellness theme) and mystery.

In this second installment, Emma Brennen, owner of Aroma Wellness Spa has booked a "Happily Divorced" event for soon-to-be divorced Addison Lacey. However, the discovery of a dead body changes everything. With Addison as the prime suspect in the murder investigation, Emma believes there's more to the story and she is determined to figure out who is behind this heinous crime. Was it Addison or did someone else commit murder?

The setting for this series is Carmel-by-the-Sea, the same setting for Daryl Wood Gerber's Fairy Garden Mysteries. It truly feels like a community, especially since characters from that series make appearances in this one. Since fairies reside in Carmel-by-the-Sea, we are even treated to appearances by them. While the fairies are not main characters in the Aroma Wellness series, they are present enough for fairy fans like myself. For me, the only thing that would improve the community even more is the mention of ramps wherever there are stairs. I like to imagine myself in the setting of the books I read, but it's difficult to do this when I don't know if I could access the delightfully cozy businesses in the area.

I love the theme of wellness. In the midst of an investigation, I found the spa scenes quite serene and calming. The contrast with the murder mystery worked very well.

I once again really enjoyed spending time with most of the main characters in this second installment. I also had fun getting to know new characters. There are just two characters I'm not a huge fan of. One may be moving on, but the other one is the detective. I understand he has a job to do, but I thought he was overly harsh with Emma. I didn't feel that she was interfering in the investigation as much as the detective felt she was. In real life, sometimes it is the citizens who provide the authorities with leads in investigations.  I thought he could have been more accepting of her help.

The mystery in Murder in a Lavender Daze is strong. Trying to figure out the whodunnit had my head spinning in the best way. I had a a few suspects in mind and I thought I narrowed it down to the the two strongest suspects. Both of them turned out to be wrong. I love when that happens. The big reveal surprised me, but it came together in a logical way.

And there are some extras in this book. If you're a fan of culinary cozies, you'll be pleased to know there are several recipes at the end. They all sound delicious. These include gluten free options. Something else in all of the books I've read by Daryl Wood Gerber that I really appreciate is the list of characters in the beginning of the book. If I ever lost track of who a character was, all I had to do was quickly look at that list that gives a brief description of each one. This eliminates the need to highlight or write down a list of characters, which I often do when a list isn't given.

If you're looking for a cozy mystery that has a light, airy feel to it, look no further than Daryl Wood Gerber's Aroma Wellness series. While each installment contains a standalone mystery, I recommend reading them in order so you can follow the subplots and character development. There is only one book before Murder in a Lavender Daze, so you have time to catch up before this second installment is released on April 28th. I am already looking forward to more!

Thank you to author Daryl Wood Gerber, Kensington Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with ARCs of this book!

Syrup to No Good (Maple Syrup Mystery 2), by Catherine Bruns

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Last fall, I received an ARC of In the Blink of a Pie (Maple Syrup Mystery 3), by Catherine Bruns. I had not expected to receive it. I hadn't yet started the series, so I listened the first one, A Doomful of Sugar, but skipped the second one, Syrup to No Good, so I could read and review the ARC of In the Blink of a Pie. I worried a little about getting spoilers that I hadn't yet read in book 2, but someone who read all three assured me that wouldn't happen. And she was right. I recently read book 2 and didn't feel like anything was spoiled having read the third one before it.

In Syrup to No Good, it is spring in Sugar Ridge, Vermont. This marks the end of syrup-making season at Sappy Endings Farm, and farm owner, Leila Khoury, is preparing for her best friend Heather's upcoming wedding. The dynamics in Heather's family are complicated and she not looking forward to having everyone there. Perhaps her intuition was right because at the conclusion of Heather's bridal shower, a dead body is found. Will Heather have her happily ever after?

In addition to the mystery, someone from Leila's past shows up and puts a potential damper on a budding relationship with her current love interest. Leila's mom is convinced that Leila's ex is right for her and she encourages her to work things out with him. Will Leila's feelings from her past, in addition to her mom's influence, affect her future with her current love interest?

I really like most of the main characters in this series, which is one reason I keep reading it. However, in this installment, I found Leila's mother to be overbearing. I understood she wanted her daughter to be happy, but she didn't accept what Leila said would make her happy. On the other hand, I think Leila made the situation worse by keeping a secret. Again, I understood her reason for keeping that secret, but at the same time, being open and honest would have given her mother a better understanding of the situation.

I really liked the romantic relationship aspect of this installment, but I did feel it overpowered the mystery. I would have preferred more sleuthing. At times, it felt like two different books - a romance and a mystery. I don't mind some romance in cozies, but it isn't my preference when it takes time away from the mystery.

While I wanted more focus on the mystery, I did think it was well-crafted. I didn't figure out the whodunnit, but it all made sense in the end. More clues and sleuthing leading up to the big reveal would have been made it even better.

Fans of culinary cozies will appreciate the recipes at the end of this book. I may even give some of them a try, which is saying a lot since I usually skip them. The ones in this book sound delicious and fairly easy to make. Unfortunately, the recipes are not in the audiobook.

If there are more books in this series, I will be reading them. The characters and setting (I love maple syrup and anything about it) will keep me coming back as long as there is growth and evolving relationships. I hope in future installments the mystery takes clear precedence over all of that, however.

At Death's Dough (Deep Dish Mystery 5), by Mindy Quigley

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Last year, I won a copy of At Death's Dough in a giveaway. I was behind on the series and have been trying to catch up ever since. I like reading series in order so I can follow the character development and relationships. A few weeks ago, I was finally ready to read this installment.

Valentine's Day is fast-approaching in Geneva Bay, Wisconsin. Delilah O'Leary is hoping her gourmet pizza restaurant is fully booked for the holiday.  This will also be her first Valentine's Day with the love of her life. Unfortunately, an ice fishing trip sets new plans in motion when a dead body is discovered. Who is the victim and what exactly happened? This investigation becomes personal and dangerous when clues are followed and secrets are uncovered. 

This installment in the series begins with an incident that occurred about one hundred years ago. It then switches to present day when several things are happening. I wasn't quite sure if and how the events would be connected, but it did come together in a cohesive, edge-of-my-seat mystery.  

With this being a Valentine's Day installment, I was hoping for a little more romance, but I did enjoy the tie-in with the holiday. The whole book had my undivided attention from beginning to end. There were enough viable suspects to consider with lots of twists and turns. I did not figure out the whodunnit, but in the end it made perfect sense. 

One thing I loved about this book, and others in the series, was that Butterball, Delilah's cat, wasn't just a cozy companion. Butterball played a critical role in how this story came together. He has become one of my favorite four-legged characters in the genre. 

Another element I really loved in this installment was how much weather conditions played a role. I am always a fan of when weather is a factor in cozies, and in this one it certainly was. It wasn't there just to create atmosphere; it had the potential to directly impact clues and the outcome of certain events. 

I continue to enjoy the character development in the series. Relationships are evolving and within themselves, characters are growing. They have depth and they feel like friends, which keeps me interested in spending time with them. 

There are some serious events that take place in At Death's Dough, and it is well-balanced with a good bit of humor. This is in keeping with the author's style of writing throughout the series. This is part of why I continue to enjoy these books. And if you enjoy culinary cozies, you'll be happy to know there are a few recipes at the end of the book.

As with most cozy mysteries, this is a self-contained mystery. However, if you want to follow the character development and changing relationships, I recommend starting with the first book, Six Feet Deep Dish, and reading them in order. I'm so excited there are plans to publish another book in this series. I'm all caught up with the series and I will be reading it!

Moonlight Murder (Detective Aunty Investigates 2), by Uzma Jalaluddin

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After I read the first book in Uzma Jalaluddin's Detective Aunty series last year, I knew I had the read the next one. I was ecstatic when I received an ARC. I'm pleased to say, Moonlight Murder is even stronger than its predecessor.

Kausar Khan has moved back to Toronto to be with her family. She did not expect to be wrapped up in another investigation involving a suspicious death, but when the teen victim is a friend of her granddaughter's, Kausar feels compelled to get to the bottom of this mystery. 

While investigating the death of her granddaughter's friend, Kausar is lead back to the circumstances around the death of her own son almost two decades earlier. Can she help her granddaughter find closure after the death of her friend and can Kausar finally get closure on the death of her own son, all while navigating a complex relationship with her daughter?

This is a solid entry into what I hope becomes the long-running Detective Aunty Investigates series. What I loved most was that the two mysteries in this one were both strong. The author successfully makes this a cohesive story. There are lots of twists and turns, with several suspects to consider. The reader is also left wondering how the two deaths are connected, if they are connected at all. I had some ideas about the whodunnits, but in the end I was surprised. The events leading up to the big reveals were suspenseful and engaging. Everything came to a logical conclusion when all was revealed.

I love the characters in this series. Kausar and her daughter Sana have a strained relationship, but it's clear that they really do love each other. They have both experienced a great deal of emotional pain over the years and it sometimes shows in their interactions with each other. Kausar is grounded and wise, though. She often says things that make me stop and reflect on my own experiences. There are a few life lessons in this book, but none of it felt too preachy. This is all well-balanced with light-heartedness and occasional humor. Kausar's long distance friend also provides some emotional support and helps keep her grounded.

If you like a bit of romance in your cozies, you'll be pleased to know there is some in this book. It's definitely a slow burn, as I believe it should be. Relationships take time to develop, especially after all the trauma Kausar Khan and her family have faced over the years. The subject of grief (and more) is handled beautifully.

Kausar Khan, her family, and many of the other main characters in this series are Muslim. As someone who is myself a Muslim, I felt seen. I could relate to so much of what I read in this book. Readers who are not familiar with Kausar Khan's culture likely won't feel overwhelmed. Uzma Jalaluddin presents it in a way that is easy to understand.

There are two things, however, that convinced me to give this four instead of five stars. First, and most notable, was the sprinkling of cursing. I was surprised to see it so much in this book because I don't remember any swearing at all in the first book. The first time I read a swear word in this book, I actually laughed out loud because I genuinely thought it was well-placed despite my not being a fan of swear words. However, it continued to happen and such language quickly felt out of place. I would have enjoyed the book more without the cursing. 

The second thing was I didn't understand why Kausar kept things under wraps when she knew more than her family did. I won't spoil it by telling you what the secret was. It just didn't make sense to me why she couldn't be more open about it. Other than these two things, this is a near perfect cozy mystery. There is a cliffhanger at the end, which makes me eager to read the next book. (I hope there will be a third book!) Overall, (minus the cursing in this installment), I did enjoy the author's writing style and I want to explore other books written by Uzma Jalaluddin.

If you're looking for a cozy mystery that is not necessarily set in a small town, but still has a strong sense of community and characters with depth, look no further than this series. Moonlight Murder can be read as a standalone, but for optimal enjoyment and no spoilers, I highly recommend starting with Detective Aunty and reading them in order. Moonlight Murder releases on May 5th in the U.S., so you have time to read the first one before then.

Thanks to Harper Perennial and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book.

The Puzzler, by A.J. Jacobs

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Happy National Puzzle Day!

When I saw The Puzzler, by A.J. Jacobs, I knew it was a book I needed to read. I love all kinds of puzzles and this seemed like it was perfect for me. I took my time reading it throughout the year last year. I started it in January and finished it in December. I'm pleased to say, it was everything I thought it would be and more!

This is a very comprehensive deep dive into puzzles. Each chapter covers a different kind of puzzle, some that I've never even heard of. The author takes the time to share the history of each kind of puzzle. He did his research online and by meeting with experts in their respective field of puzzles. For example, for the chapter on jigsaw puzzles he consulted with Karen Puzzles. Before reading this book, I had never heard of her. I quickly learned that she is a popular YouTuber who shares videos on jigsaw puzzles, including time lapses, reviews, speed puzzling competitions, and more. In most, if not all of her videos, she offers useful tips for speed puzzling and for just leisurely puzzling. I've been hooked on her YouTube channel ever since. She's been posting videos since 2018 and continues to do so today, so I happily have plenty of videos to catch up on.

But back to the book. At the end of each chapter there are puzzles for the reader to work on, with solutions. Some of the solutions are right there on the page. There are "warnings" that the solution is coming. However, for most of the puzzles, the answer keys are in the back of the book. Admittedly, I did not do most of the puzzles, but it's nice to know they are there when I want to do them.

Occasionally, there was the use of strong language. It wasn't necessary and I found those rare instances distracting. Thankfully, though, it did not stop me from enjoying and learning from the book overall. In fact, the author writes with light humor, which was quite entertaining at times!

If you love puzzles, then this is a book you'll want to pick up. I recommend owning your own print copy if you want to work on the puzzles. There are also resources you may want to refer to from time to time. 

Do you enjoy working on puzzles? If so, what is your favorite kind? If you've been following my blog, I bet you can figure out which kind is my favorite!