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!

Public Anchovy #1 (Deep Dish Mystery 3), by Mindy Quigley

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It's been a couple of years since I read Six Feet Deep Dish (Deep Dish Mystery 1), by Mindy Quigley. I really enjoyed it and had always intended on continuing the series. I recently listened to the second one, Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust, and not long after that, I read the third one, Public Anchovy #1. I'm so glad I've continued the series. Public Anchovy #1 is not only my favorite installment in the series so far; it's one of my favorite cozies I've ever read since I got hooked on the genre five years ago.

Delilah O'Leary runs a gourmet deep dish pizzeria in the fictional town of Geneva Bay, Wisconsin. In this third installment, Delilah and her staff are hired to cater a Prohibition-themed fundraiser at the host's mansion. Everyone is on site, including Delilah's cat, Butterball, and ready for a festive evening until a dead body is found. At first it looks like Butterball is the culprit, but it isn't long before it's clear that the victim was murdered by one of the humans who was at the party. 

Due to a severe storm, some guests manage to leave the mansion, but several are trapped overnight. Road conditions are unsafe and the authorities are unable to make it there anytime soon, except for Detective Calvin Capone who was already there for the fundraiser. Capone, Delilah, her entire staff, and several guests are forced to wait out the storm in the mansion with the dead body on the premises, knowing that a killer could be among them. Can they leave in time before the killer strikes again?

One thing I do not often mention in my reviews is setting, but it's worth noting in this installment. The setting felt like a character itself. The details of the mansion are described so vividly I could imagine myself being there. I am not a fan of thunderstorms in real life, but I loved how it was a major factor in this book. The mansion combined with the storm at night felt haunting, but in the cozy realm. I am a huge fan of when weather factors into cozies and this was certainly the case here. It played out perfectly.

I loved revisiting all of the main characters who attended the fundraiser. There is a touch of romance, which was just enough for my liking. I enjoyed how one relationship specifically progressed and I'm excited to see what happens next in future installments. There was one main character from previous installments who was not in attendance, but she was still mentioned in this one. The closed setting in the mansion also gave us the opportunity to get to know the suspects and their possible motives. I really enjoyed the cat, Butterball, in this installment as well. He felt like one of the main characters who played an important role. Butterball also provided us with some comic relief at just the right times.

The book takes place primarily over one night, which I loved. Most of the cozies I have read take place over about one week, which is also fine. But I thought the shorter period of time in this one really worked. The entire story moved along at a comfortable pace.

The mystery is well-plotted and solid. There are enough suspects, twists, and turns that kept me guessing until the big reveal, which was epic. There were several times when I thought I knew who the culprit was, only to change my mind because of something else that came up.

Despite the circumstances of the mystery, the author still managed to bring food into the story. I loved reading all the foodie talk, which made me crave pizza so badly that I had to have some while reading the book. At the end of the book there are several unique recipes, including some that contribute to a "free from" pizza. The "free from" pizza is gluten free, dairy free, and nightshade free.

This is a cozy that will stick with me for a long time. I rarely re-read books because my TBR list is so long, but this is one that I can see myself revisiting in the future. I'd love to read it again to see if I can pick up on clues that I didn't notice before. I'd also love to experience the setting again. It was all so masterfully done.

In the meantime, I will certainly be continuing the series. I love knowing there are other books in the series that have already been published. I look forward to reading them! You can certainly dive into the series beginning with Public Anchovy #1 since it is a self-contained mystery, but if you want to follow the characters from the beginning, start with Six Feet Deep Dish and read them in order.

Vampires, VCRs, and Violence (Bewitcher's Beach Mystery 5), by Emily Fluke

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I am always excited when a new installment in the Bewitcher's Beach Paranormal Mystery series is released. I've been reading them from the beginning and watching the series develop into deeper, more complex plots. Vampires, VCRs, and Violence is another strong installment.

Noema is a single mom of werewolf pups. The series is set in the 1990s and she owns Mockbuster, a video rental store. Over the course of the series, she's been searching for her long lost family, while also solving a few too many murders. In this installment, it isn't long before Noema is bitten by a bat. As if that's not enough trauma, a dead body is found in her rental shop. Are the two incidents connected? If so, how? Noema is determined to get to the bottom of these mysteries.

I really enjoyed this book, even more so than the previous one. I loved that we were back in Bewitcher's Beach, which is the setting where it all began. There are references to 90s pop culture that brought back some fun memories for me. For example, it is mentioned that the movie Armageddon was just released. There is a sprinkling of these kinds of references throughout the series and I am here for it.

Noema continues to use her sense of smell to detect emotions. For example, if she smells pineapple pizza, it indicates confusion. I love that the scents and the emotions they symbolize have been consistent throughout the series. So when I come across them, they feel like a natural part of the world the author has built (at least for Noema, since it is her gift).

I appreciate that Detective Sett is open to having Noema work with the authorities on this investigation. The events surrounding the mystery involve her, so it makes sense that she is accepted as a consultant. I love it when the amateur sleuth can work in harmony with the authorities.

The mystery in Vampires, VCRs, and Violence is strong. There are so many layers to it that I did not figure out everything. I enjoyed reading how the pieces fit together. And while there were many layers, it never felt overwhelming. 

Throughout the series, there is a love triangle like no other I've ever read and there are some new developments in this installment. It made me both sad and hopeful at the same time. You'll have to read the books to see how relationships are progressing as characters are more developed.

The one thing that brought this installment down a bit for me was the scattered foul language throughout the book. I'd say the foul word used is mild, but I came across it too many times for me to fully enjoy the book. This won't bother everyone, but if you're familiar with my taste, you'll know I'm not a fan of foul language, even the mild variety. Especially for a cozy mystery, it doesn't work well for me.

I really missed Squeaks, the mouse. He is mentioned, but he is not involved in this story. Squeaks was featured much more prominently in earlier installments and I really came to love him. He's such a unique cozy companion and I thought he really added some fun to the series.

Other than these two minor complaints, I did really enjoy this installment overall. Emily Fluke's style of writing is strong and that's what keeps me coming back to this series. Quotes like "summer melted into fall" keep me engaged. Her descriptions of the setting make it feel like its own character.

I look forward to visiting Bewitcher's Beach again in the next installment, which is set to be released in 2026. As with most cozy mysteries, each installment in the series contains a standalone mystery. However, I highly recommend starting from the beginning with Magic, Movies, and Murder and reading them in order. It's fun to follow the subplots over the course of the series.

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

Poison and Prejudice (Rare Books Mystery 3), Daphne Silver

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When I first heard of author Daphne Silver and her Rare Books Mystery series, they caught my attention because she is from my home state of Maryland and this is where her mysteries are set. What has kept me coming back for more is the cozy community she's created with loveable characters, complete with well-crafted mysteries they must solve. That's why it was a no-brainer that I would read the third in the series, Poison and Prejudice.

In this latest installment, rare books librarian, Juniper Blume, attends a storage unit auction. What she didn't realize is that the unit she won at the auction would come with, among other items, a dead body. Who is the deceased and how did he wind up there? Who owned the unit? What is the meaning behind the items found in the unit? Juniper takes matters into her own hands and sets out to figure out what happened. 

I was hooked on this installment from chapter 1. The pacing of the mystery was strong from beginning to end, while cozy subplots were seamless incorporated. I loved visiting with Juniper and her family as they prepared for Rosh Hashanah. One of my favorite aspects of cozies is when they talk about food and there is no shortage of that in this installment. There were some dishes mentioned that I had never heard of before, but that I now want to try.

There are lots of layers to this mystery and it's a puzzle to figure out what is related to the murder investigation and what isn't. All of the threads related to the mystery were satisfactorily resolved in the end. By about the 70% mark I was confident I knew the whodunnit, which turned out to be correct, but it was still fun to see how the big reveal would happen. It's no secret that in cozies, all will be well in the end for the main characters, but I was still on the edge of my seat reading about what was happening.

I am excited to know there is a fourth installment in the works. I will definitely be visiting Rose Mallow again. I look forward to seeing how their lives progress and which mystery they will solve next.

As with most cozies, this is a self-contained mystery that is solved by the end of the book. However, if you want to follow the subplots, I recommend starting with book 1, Crime and Parchment, and reading them in order.

Thank you to author Daphne Silver for providing me with an eARC of this book.

Deck the Halls with Homicide (Killer Chocolate Mystery 3), by Christina Romeril

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When I found out that Christina Romeril was releasing another installment in the Killer Chocolate Mystery series, I knew I had to read it. I enjoyed the first two, A Christmas Candy Killing and A Nutcracker Nightmare, so I had high hopes for Deck the Halls with Homicide (Killer Chocolate Mystery 3). I'm pleased to say, it did not disappoint.

After the past two Christmases were less than festive with homicides each year, Alex and Hanna, owners of the book and chocolate shop, Murder and Mayhem, are hoping for a more peaceful holiday season this year. Unfortunately, it was not to be.

 

After Alex serves as a judge in the Deck the Halls contest, holiday decorations in the cozy town start disappearing. Worse than that, a dead body is found and Alex's boyfriend is the prime suspect. She and Hanna embark on a mission to uncover the truth and clear Tom's name. While doing so, Alex is also dealing with Regina, Tom's daughter, who is not thrilled they are dating.

I cannot express to you enough how much I enjoyed this book. It is told from third person point of view, which sometimes makes it difficult for me to become fully immersed in the story. That was not a problem here at all. It held my interest from beginning to end. While I also enjoyed the first two in the series, this third installment is without a doubt, my favorite. It has everything I love in a holiday-themed cozy mystery.

Alex and Hanna are twin sisters running the Murder and Mayhem book and chocolate shop that specializes in mysteries and poison-themed chocolates. To be clear, the chocolates they make are not poisonous. They just have names that refer to poisons. How clever!  Maggie is also an employee of the shop and she is equally likeable. There are several other main characters, and when they get together, I am reminded of the close-knit family and friendships in Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swenson series. That was the series that first made me a fan of cozy mysteries, so references to those books are always a plus for me.

I appreciated that although not everyone was a fan of Sheriff Summers, she is recognized as being competent in doing her job. I'm never a fan of the authorities being portrayed in a negative light. I liked the way this was handled in this book.

I loved reading about how the characters' lives are progressing and it was fun to see this aspect intertwined in the mystery. Their lives aren't perfect, yet the tone still feels cozy. I was surprised at how this one ended, but I'm okay with it and I look forward to reading more about them in what I hope are future installments.

I also love the setting throughout this series. I mentioned the book and chocolate shop, but even more than that, the Christmas feels are strong. While the premise of the series is not specifically about Christmas, the first three installments are set around this holiday. The holiday merriment was especially noticeable in Deck the Halls with Homicide. Not only is there lots of talk about the holiday decorations, etc., but the writing is so vivid that I reread several lines simply because I enjoyed them so much. The strong writing really made me feel like I was there to experience the festivities with the characters.

Contrasted with the festive feels was a solid mystery with lots of twists, turns, and red herrings to keep the reader guessing. Just when I thought I had the whodunnit figured out, something happened to change my mind. This happened a few times. I changed my mind back and forth. In the end, I was partially correct, but I did not have the entire mystery solved. I love to be surprised and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. It all made sense in the end, and yet I was still shocked at the outcome.

I also loved the way the whodunnit was revealed. Alex definitely showed the "amateur" part of being an amateur sleuth. She didn't always make the wisest decisions, but that's part of what cozy mysteries are about. She is not a professional detective. While she was very smart with some of her sleuthing, which there was plenty of, her plans were not without flaws and I'm okay with that in a cozy mystery.

Another element of this book that I enjoyed was the light humor. The storytelling is filled with moments that made me chuckle. It had just the right amount of humor in all the right scenes to lighten the mood.

Those who enjoy bookish references will be pleased to know there are several of them throughout Deck the Halls with Homicide. There are a variety of ideas to add to your TBR. I also enjoyed the sprinkling of references to murder mystery television shows. These mentions are seamlessly woven into the flow of the story. 

There are no recipes in this book, but at the end, the author directs readers to her website. There, you will find two delectable recipes you might want to try. They are good for any time of the year.

I do want to mention a few things that didn't affect the quality of the story, but did bother me. One is a scene where one of the characters temporarily parks in an accessible parking area while unloading her vehicle. This is not only illegal in the U.S., but it truly does impact people with disabilities. Being disabled myself, there have been times when I couldn't find a parking space because the accessible ones were being used as unloading zones. The character did not do it to intentionally hurt anyone, so it did not make her unlikeable. However, she needs to know that it is unacceptable. I would have felt better about it if it was addressed by the authorities. Even if she wasn't ticketed, I wish she was asked to move her vehicle immediately.

The second thing that bothered me is related to this incident. In the book, it is referred to as a "handicap zone". The term handicap is outdated and viewed by most people in the disabled community as offensive. I won't go into the details here, but if you research how the term came to be, you will understand what I'm taking about. 

The last thing I thought about was accessibility. I'm not sure if there is an accessible entrance to the Murder and Mayhem book and chocolate shop. There is some talk in the book about stairs. It isn't too late to rectify this. Perhaps there is an accessible entrance (preferably not hidden away in a back alley somewhere) or maybe they can renovate it. If the fictional building was built before the Americans with Disabilities Act went into effect it is exempt from the law, but it would still be better if wheelchair uses and others with mobility impairments could access the shop.

These are brief moments in the book, but it is important to recognize them. I want to emphasize again that while these aspects bear mentioning in my review for the purpose of awareness, they did not affect how much I loved Deck the Halls with Homicide. It is one of my favorite books of the year so far and I hope there will be more in the series. This is certainly a series I want to continue reading.

Thank you to author Christina Romeril for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Cold Clay (Shady Hollow 2), by Juneau Black

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I really enjoyed the first in the Shady Hollow series, Shady Hollow, by Juneau Black, when I listened to it a few years ago. Ever since then, I've had the rest of the series on my TBR list. I finally listened to Cold Clay. Autumn is the season in which Cold Clay is set, so it's perfect timing.

The creatures who reside in Shady Hollow are preparing for autumn, when a rabbit discovers the dead body of a moose. The identity of the deceased is not immediately known, but amateur sleuth/journalist Vera Vixen and the authorities are on the case. After the identity of the moose is revealed, Vera does not believe the authorities have the correct culprit and she is determined to speed up this case to bring the real killer to justice.

While I enjoyed the first installment in this series, I really loved this one! As with every book in the series, all of the characters are animals who reside in Shady Hollow. They are able to talk with each other and they all have human-like qualities. While I'm not usually a fan of injured or deceased animals in cozies, it works in this series because of the fictional world the author has created. The main characters are easy to fall in love with, even the ones with edgy personalities.

I did have a hunch who the killer was in this one, but not right away. Even though I thought I knew who it was and I ended up being correct, I still enjoyed following the clues with Vera. In addition to the mystery, there is a subplot with a bit of romance. Is it realistic? No. But the entire premise of this series is unrealistic, so I can suspend belief. I'm here for the fun, not reality.

Like the first installment, Cold Clay is written in the third person. Normally this is something that takes me a bit to get used to, as I prefer first person. However, I barely noticed it in this book. I will say that I listened to the audiobook, and I think that was to my advantage. Cassandra Campbell is the narrator and she does a flawless job voicing all of the characters, in addition to telling the story. I was completely engrossed in her narration from beginning to end. If there's any book I recommend on audio, it's this one! 

This is a series I will definitely continue listening to. I'm really looking forward to finding out what Vera's next case will be and to visiting with the residents of Shady Hollow again. The reason it took me took me so long to listen to this second installment is because the first library I became a member of didn't have it. Now that I've joined a second and third library system in my state, I finally found one that does carry it on Libby. 

If you are a fan of cozy mysteries and you can suspend belief to enjoy a make-believe world, I highly recommend the Shady Hollow series. You will definitely want to begin with book 1, Shady Hollow, and read or listen to them in order so you can follow the ongoing subplot. Also, in Cold Clay, there is a reference to something that occurred in Shady Hollow. I have already put a hold on book 3, Mirror Lake. Based on the book cover, it looks like this one is also set in the fall. I hope to listen to it soon!

The Borrow a Bookshop Holiday (Borrow a Bookshop 1), by Kiley Dunbar

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Over the summer, I participated in a challenge where I had to read or listen to a book set in England. I was in Christmas in July mode, so I wanted it to be set around the holidays. My search resulted in a book that I fell in love with. It isn't the usual cozy mystery I enjoy, but it had strong cozy vibes. I'd describe it as women's fiction with a bit of romance. That book was Christmas at the Borrow a Bookshop (Borrow a Bookshop 2), by Kiley Dunbar. I typically don't read or listen to series out of order, but I had read reviews that stated it could be enjoyed as a standalone, so I gave it a try. After finishing that book, I knew I wanted to read or listen to the entire series. So I recently circled back to the first one, The Borrow a Bookshop Holiday. I enjoyed the narration so much for Christmas at the Borrow a Bookshop, that I chose to listen to this first one. Both are narrated by Helen Duff.

In The Borrow a Bookshop Holiday, we are introduced to Jude Crawley. She is a thirty-something graduate who can finally go public with her relationship with Professor Mack.  She also no longer needs to care for her grandmother because her health has greatly improved. Sadly, though, Jude sees Mack kissing another girl and this is the breaking point of their relationship.

Months prior to their breakup, they had put in a request to get on the waiting list for the Borrow a Bookshop in England. (The series is based on a real bookshop like this in Scotland.) They were looking forward to this getaway where guests run the bookshop for two weeks. After the breakup, they are notified that it's finally their turn. The Bookshop Holiday is non-refundable, so Jude decides to go there on her own.

Except, she's not there alone. It turns out, another guest, Elliot, has also reserved the bookshop. Their first encounter is tense and Elliot is hiding something about himself, but they must learn to put their differences aside in order to successfully run the bookshop together. They may just fall in love in the process while also growing as individuals.

I debated whether to give this book three or four stars. I settled on four because I really did enjoy it. I think it was good that I listened to the audiobook because the beautiful narration kept me engaged.

Unfortunately, this book didn't resonate as deeply with me as Christmas at the Borrow a Bookshop did, though. If this had been my first experience with the series, I might not be so eager to read the rest of the books. However, since I know book 2 is so much better, I will read or listen on.

The romance in this first installment felt forced and rushed to me. I kept wondering why Jude was so into Elliot. She didn't know too much about him before their romance got serious. He knew a lot more about her than she did about him, so the relationship wasn't balanced. There were also a couple of moments that were very predictable. 

Elliot has secrets, which also really bothered me. He didn't have to reveal anything to Jude, especially just having met her, but if they're going to be in a serious relationship, Jude deserved to know sooner. Eventually Eliott did come clean, but it was close to the end of the book and it was rushed.  It felt like a data dump when he did explain everything to Jude. What happened after this felt out of place from the rest of the book.

Something else that bothered me about this book, which was also the case in Christmas at the Borrow a Bookshop, was the sprinkling of mild swear words. They felt out of place for these characters. It was almost like the author was trying to be edgy just to catch our attention. None of those swear words were necessary. I would have enjoyed the book more without them.

Despite all the negatives, I do love the premise of the series and I think the rest of the books have promise. I'll definitely listen to the audiobooks because I love the narrator's voice so much. If you're looking for women's fiction with some romance that feels cozy, I recommend The Borrow a Bookshop Holiday, by Kiley Dunbar. If you're not too into it, give the series a chance because I'm confident you will enjoy the second one more. It has much more emotional depth. Some plot points do carry over into each following book, so while the main stories are standalones, I recommend starting from the beginning with this first installment.

Fatal Sign-Off (Book Blogger Mystery 3), by Sarah E. Burr

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I am a huge fan of author Sarah E. Burr. If she writes it, I will read it. So I was very excited to obtain an eARC of her latest installment in the Book Blogger Mysteries, Fatal Sign-Off. It's been a couple of years since the second book, Dearly Deleted, was published. Was it worth the wait for Fatal Sign-Off? Yes, it was!

In this installment, set around Mother's Day, the mystery centers around the murder of a podcaster who made a living trash-talking various businesses. The suspect list is high, as he isn't well-liked in the community. Among the suspects are book blogger Winnie Lark's friends and family, so she is determined to get to the bottom of this mystery and figure out what really happened. Intertwined with the mystery is the development of several relationships between Winnie and her family, Winnie's friendship with Detective Rose, and a budding romantic relationship between two characters you may not have seen coming.

The mystery is well-crafted with lots of fun twists and turns. The action starts early in the book and continues at a fast pace until the end. The development of the relationships is seamlessly woven in throughout the story. 

There is a good bit of humor in this installment that provides just the right amount of comic relief. One scene in particular made me laugh out loud. It was a turning point (in a positive way) for me regarding how I feel about one of the characters involved in the scene. The scene added depth to the character in a light-hearted way.

Throughout Fatal Sign-Off, there are a lot of references to other books that readers will want to add to their TBR list. I did at times find the number of references distracting. There was one reference to a newly released cozy mystery towards the end of the book that felt naturally woven into the flow of the story. It might have worked better for me if there were fewer references throughout the book, but that were woven more into the flow of the story like this one was. However, I do understand that being a book blogger, this is the way Winnie thinks. It is natural for her to reference books she has read and reviewed. It just needed to be tweaked a bit, for my taste.

This is just a minor detail, though. Overall, this is another wonderful installment in a great series. With another solid mystery and strong character development, I will definitely continue reading the Book Blogger Mysteries as they are released. Since there is such strong character development, I do recommend reading them in order, beginning with Over My Dead Blog. If you enjoy bookish cozy mysteries with quirky characters, you don't want to sleep on this series.

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

Edam and Weep (Grilled Cheese Mystery 6), by Linda Reilly

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Whenever there's a new Grilled Cheese Mystery, by Linda Reilly, I always request an ARC. It's one of the first cozy mystery series I started reading and I've been enjoying every installment since book 1, Up to No Gouda. So I was very excited when book 6, Edam and Weep, was recently published.

The local high school is hosting a fundraiser and Carly Hale, owner of Carly's Grilled Cheese Eatery, is selling her grilled cheese sandwiches. Carly's mother is there to help, but when an unpleasant vendor goes off the deep end, she gives him a piece of her mind. Later that day, the vendor is found dead, with Carly's mother's scarf wrapped around him. Carly is determined to clear her mother's name and find out who the real killer is.

There is a prominent subplot in this installment as well. We get to met some of Ari's family when they unexpectedly stop by with some news of an issue that needs to be resolved. Carly has a lot on her plate with a murder to solve, while also dealing with Ari's family member's challenges. And this isn't everything on Carly's plate, but you'll have to read to find out what else is going on in her life. (You'll be glad you did.)

I really enjoyed the mystery in this installment. It was well-crafted and fun. There was a comfortable number of viable suspects to consider. I had my suspicions about the whodunnit, but overall I did not see the big reveal coming. It was the best kind of ending to a cozy mystery. 

It did seem like Carly was away from her restaurant quite a bit and she relied on her co-workers and friends to run it, but given all that she was going through, it's understandable why she would need some time away. Thankfully, her co-workers and friends always have her back.

While I loved getting to meet some of Ari's family in this installment, I did feel that this subplot overpowered the mystery. At times it felt like I was reading two separate stories. I would have been more invested if the subplot was in the background or if it was more intertwined with the mystery.

However, I love the characters in this series and it was a delight to visit with them again. The author manages to include beloved characters who have moved away, but visit Balsam Dell when the occasion calls for it. We also get to know some of the side characters better. There were some fun, light-hearted moments that really made me smile. 

For fans of recipes in culinary cozies, there are a couple of them at the end of this book. They sound absolutely delectable. I also enjoyed reading about the food throughout the book.

If you're a fan of this series, then this Edam and Weep is another installment you will want to read from beginning to end. I think you'll be delighted with how this one wraps up. If you want to read this series, I do recommend starting from the beginning with Up to No Gouda so you can follow the subplots of the main characters. Their kindness shines throughout the series and their friendships will warm your heart. I am very much looking forward to visiting with them again when book 7 is released.

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

Happy Cozy Mystery Day!

Today we celebrate the birthday of Agatha Christie and National Cozy Mystery Day! Here are the last five 5-star cozy mysteries I finished. I am linking them to my reviews.

Let me know in the comments what your recommendations are for cozy mysteries!

Fourth of July Forgery (Holiday Cozy Mystery 6), by Tonya Kappes

Dead, White, and Blue (Northwoods Mystery 2), by Annie McEwen

#Throwback for Murder (Trending Topic Mystery 4), by Sarah E. Burr

Chocolate Bunny Betrayal (Holiday Cozy Mystery 5), by Tonya Kappes

You Feta Watch Out (Grilled Cheese Mystery 5), by Linda Reilly

A Wonderful Christmas Crime (Christmas Tree Farm Mystery 6), by Jacqueline Frost

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Merry Christmas in July!

I am not a fan of heat and humidity, so Christmas in July is a form of escape for me. I love watching Christmas movies and reading Christmas books at the this time of year. I'm so excited to have received an ARC of the sixth book in Jacqueline Frost's Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series, A Wonderful Christmas Crime. This series has become a favorite of mine and it fit the theme perfectly this month. It has all the cozy Christmas feels I was hoping for.

Something significant is revealed at the beginning of this installment. I won't spoil it, but it plays a huge role in Holly's motivation not to get involved in crime-solving this Christmas. In an effort to relax and have some fun, Holly participates in a town-wide progressive dinner. After an attempted robbery at one of the stops, followed by the discovery of a dead body, Holly can't help thinking about why all of this happened and who is responsible for yet another Christmas crime in Mistletoe, Maine. Holly knows the person accused of the crime is not the responsible party and, with the help of her friends and family, she is determined to get to the bottom of it all.

This is a solid mystery. In fact, there are multiple mysteries going on simultaneously. I was especially thrilled to see one involving crossword puzzles. You will have to read it to find out if and how they are all connected. I was really shocked when the killer was revealed, but it came to a logical conclusion. There are several suspects to consider and twists and turns along the way, which made for a mind-boggling mystery.

The setting for this entire series is one of my favorites in any cozy mystery. It has all the festive and cozy Christmas feels, complete with hot chocolate and reindeer games. The imagery is vivid with lots of descriptions to awaken all five senses. This is one town where I would love to spend Christmas.

It was comforting to meet up again with the same main characters who have been present throughout the series. Everyone is so warm and welcoming and it feels like a true community. The progressive dinner is the perfect example of how they all come together.

Holly is one lucky lady to be surrounded by so much love. However, I did feel like her loved ones were very over-protective of her in this installment. Throughout the book, she is struggling to keep her blood pressure under control. I understand why her friends and family were concerned, but as much as they babysat her (this term was actually used in the book multiple times), that alone would be enough to raise her blood pressure. They needed to loosen the grip. She's a grown woman who is fully capable of making her own decisions. I also wasn't a fan of her acquired goofy nickname.

Overall, though, this is yet another strong installment in the beloved Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series. If you've read all of the previous books in the series, this is definitely one you won't want to miss. It's light-hearted and fun, just like all of the previous books in the series. If you have not yet read any books in the series, I highly recommend starting with the first one, Twelve Slays of Christmas, and reading them in order. Each installment is a self-contained mystery, but it's a lot of fun to follow the growth of the characters with each consecutive book. 

As I was reading this book, I thought it was going to be the final one in the series. However, I was delighted to learn that there will be another one released next year. I can't wait! I'm definitely going to read it!

A Wonderful Christmas Crime releases on October 21, 2025.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an ARC of this book.

A Nutcracker Nightmare (Killer Chocolate Mystery 2), by Christina Romeril

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I listened to A Christmas Candy Killing (Killer Chocolate Mystery 1), by Christina Romeril a while ago and I really enjoyed it. I've been wanting to read or listen to the follow-up, A Nutcracker Nightmare, since then. That time finally came this month as part of my Christmas in July lineup.

Twin sisters and owners of the Murder and Mayhem book and chocolate shop, Hanna and Alex, are excited to attend their high school reunion. Unfortunately, the festivities are marred by the dead body that is found, and Hanna is the prime suspect in this murder investigation. With the help of their former classmates, the twins set out to clear Hanna's name and figure out who the real culprit is.

There were a lot of characters in this Christmas cozy, which were challenging for me to keep up with, but it also made for a strong mystery. There were a lot of suspects to consider and I did not figure out the whodunnit. I enjoyed following the main characters as they used the clues that led to the surprising, but logical, big reveal.

There were lots of Christmas feels close to the end, but I was hoping for more of this throughout the book. However, it did satisfy my craving for a festive cozy mystery that I could enjoy during Christmas in July. I had a great time spending more time with the main characters and watching their relationships grow. If you enjoy a bit of romance in your cozies, you will find that in A Nutcracker Nightmare. There is also a delightful cozy companion, Miss Watson, who is a rescue dog.

When you're in the mood for a little Christmas cheer in your cozies, complete with lots of talk about chocolate, then I recommend Christina Romeril's Killer Chocolate Mystery series. While each installment is a self-contained mystery, I do recommend beginning with the first one, A Christmas Candy Killing, and reading them in order so you can follow the subplots. 

It won't be long before the third one is released, though I'm not sure a specific date has been announced at the time of this writing. The title of that one was just announced today - Deck the Halls with Homicide. I will definitely be reading that one. If you're not caught up on the series, you have some time before the next one is released. 

What the Spell? (Spellbooked Mystery 1), by Elle Wren Burke

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I receive newsletters from several authors. One of the components I love are polls. It's fun to cast my vote on various topics and see how others have voted. Over the course of several weeks, author Elle Wren Burke conducted polls for something unique. She asked her newsletter subscribers to vote on various aspects of a new series she was starting to write. She incorporated the winning selections for each question into her new magical cozy mystery, What the Spell? (Spellbooked Mystery 1). It was so fun to see the story come together with all everything we voted for.

The story literally has an explosive beginning. Instead of getting married, Kinley Paigewright, who grew up in foster care, is in her bridal suite in tears cutting up her wedding dress. Suddenly, energy explodes from her, and her bridal suite is gone. A detective appears, informs Kinley, who is still wearing her wedding dress, that she's a witch, and, through a portal, whisks her off to a strange and unfamiliar island.  She then finds out she's the owner of a sentient bookshop, previously owned by her grandmother. Since her grandmother's death, the bookshop himself, named Page, is also rapidly dying. In order to save Page, Kinley must bond with him. As if this isn't enough, Kinley also finds out she has inherited an unpleasant upstairs tenant in the bookshop.

Whew! What a day! But that's not all. The next day, a talking cat appears and leads Kinley to a dead body of someone familiar. It isn't long before Kinley becomes a suspect in this murder investigation. Can she bond with Page and save the sentient bookshop? Can she solve the mystery of the dead body and clear her name?  And can she do all of this while fighting migraines in a town so strange and unfamiliar to her, while dealing with her recent almost-marriage?

Elle Wren Burke wasted no time diving into the action in this story. As you can see, Kinley has a lot on her plate in a very short period of time. I really loved the world-building in this book. The descriptions are so vivid I felt like I was there experiencing the hidden island with Kinley. I especially loved Page, the sentient bookshop. I hope we get to see more of him in action in future installments. All of the magical elements were so much fun to read about.

A lot of time was taken to describe the setting, which in one way is great, especially in a first in series. However, I did feel that the description of the setting took time away from the mystery. The mystery itself was puzzling and strong and I did not figure out the whodunnit. I just wanted more time spent on it. 

I really enjoyed getting to know diverse cast of characters and their familiars, although there are a lot of them. Between all of the main characters and their familiars, I did have a difficult time remembering who everyone was. I highlighted (in my Kindle) each one as they were introduced, but it would have been helpful to have a list of all of them at the beginning of the book that I could refer back to.

Overall the writing in this book is strong, especially with regards to the world-building, but there are multiple uses of language that I prefer not to read, especially in a cozy. There is no swearing, but some of the strong language took me out of the story. I would have enjoyed it even more without that language.

I enjoyed What the Spell? enough that I definitely want to read the next installment when it is released. There is a cliffhanger at the end of this first one and I'm curious to find out what will happen next. I'm hoping that with just a few tweaks, the next mystery is even stronger than this first one. If you enjoy magical cozy mysteries, I encourage you to pick up What the Spell?. I think you'll enjoy the ride. Just remember to buckle up because it is quite an adventure!

Thank you to author, Elle Wren Burke for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Fourth of July Forgery (Holiday Cozy Mystery 6), by Tonya Kappes

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The Holiday Cozy Mystery series, by Tonya Kappes, is one I've been following from book 1, Four Leaf Felony. I started following the series last year and I've been reading or listening to each installment in order as the related holiday approaches. So this month, it was time for Fourth of July Forgery.

Journalist turned amateur sleuth, Violet Rinehammer and her beau are enjoying a Fourth of July celebration in the festive town of Holiday Junction. When someone is murdered, Violet taps into her journalistic instincts to uncover the truth.

I once again enjoyed this installment in the Holiday Cozy Mystery series. The narrator for the audiobook, Christina Sagnimeni, really brings all of the characters to life. Her narration did take a little getting used to, but it wasn't long before I was all in. I'm at the point in the series now where I feel right at home when I listen to her narrations. We spend time with familiar friends, whose relationships are evolving in a natural way, but in Fourth of July Forgery, we are also introduced to more characters. Too many characters in a book or series can feel overwhelming to me, but that was not the case here. I'm so familiar with the usual cast that when the new ones were introduced I was ready to meet them. I'm curious to see what their role will be in future installments.

As always, the setting was thoroughly enjoyable. Holiday Junction is one of my favorite cozy mystery settings. I'd love to live in a town where all of the residents come together to celebrate every holiday. It has that strong sense of community I love in cozies. I enjoyed hearing the descriptions of the 4th of July decor and apparel. These descriptions never distracted from the flow of the story. On the contrary, they drew me in.

The mystery in Fourth of July Forgery was strong. It happened fairly early, with most of the book focused on sleuthing and trying to solve the whodunnit. All the while, subplots were seamlessly woven in. I did not figure it out, but it made sense in the end. 

I am very much looking forward to continuing this series in the fall with Thanksgiving Treachery. This is one of the few cozy mysteries I know of that is centered around one of my favorite holidays. Of course, each book in the series can be enjoyed any time of the year, too. 

As with most cozy mysteries, this is a self-contained mystery that is solved at the end of the book, but to follow the subplots and character development, I recommend beginning with Four Leaf Felony and reading them in order. Please note that this is a spin-off series from Camper and Criminals, also by Tonya Kappes. However, it is not necessary to read the Camper and Criminals series in order to enjoy this one. (I do think you'll enjoy Camper and Criminals, too, though!) If you enjoy holiday cozy mysteries, I'm confident you'll love this Holiday Cozy Mystery series.

Dead, White, and Blue (Northwoods Mystery 2), by Annie McEwen

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It doesn't get much cozier than the Northwoods Mysteries, by Annie McEwen. I listened to Resort to Murder, the first one in the series, and was captivated by the warm and cozy vibes. I immediately knew after listening to that one that I had to continue the series. Unless I'm reading an ARC, I'm a seasonal reader. So I waited until close to the 4th of July to listen to the second installment, Dead, White, and Blue. 

It begins at a 4th of July festival, which drew me in right away. I love reading about festivals in cozies. This is a three-day event held in the small town of Lake Covington, Wisconsin.  All is well until Emmy Cooper stumbles over a dead body. The deceased had plenty of people who wanted him dead, so there are several suspects to consider in this murder investigation. She and her bestie, Whitney, set out to untangle this mystery, despite being told to stay out of it. Can they uncover the truth while Emmy helps run her family's lake cottage resort and while getting reacquainted with her childhood crush and now police officer, Dean Erickson?

What keeps me coming back the most to a series are the characters. I want to feel like I could be friends with them, and that is certainly the case in this series. I find comfort with them, which is exactly what I want in a cozy. Emmy is a likeable sleuth and her family and friends are equally enjoyable. If you like a bit of romance in your cozies, you'll be pleased to know there is a touch of it in this installment. This subplot is naturally infused in the story, so as not to distract from the mystery.  I also love the setting. There is a strong sense of community and it feels like a cozy town.

The mystery is also strong. There are enough suspects to consider, but not too many to overwhelm the reader. I did not figure out the whodunnit, but it all made sense in the end. That's my favorite kind of resolution. 

Patricia Burgos is the narrator for this audiobook and she does a fantastic job bringing it to life. I was fully engaged listening to her voice the characters. I especially enjoyed her as Emmy. Audiobooks can be hit or miss for me, but this was definitely a hit.

There is no doubt in my mind that I will continue this series. I'm looking forward to spending more time in Lake Covington with Emmy and her friends and family. If you enjoy cozies, then I highly recommend this series. As with most cozies, this is a self-contained mystery that is solved at the end of the book, but to follow the characters and their subplots, I suggest that you begin with Resort to Murder and read them in order.