Review: The Coloring Crook

The Coloring Crook by Krista Davis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An enjoyable cozy that mixes descriptions of art and nature alongside books. This series set in Georgetown provides a different setting compared to many cozies set in small towns. The mystery definitely twists and turns and is full of crazy characters

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Review: The Exiles

The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

moving story of Australia’s early residents

This hist fiction novel centers around the colonization of Australia. I found the story to be engaging and tragic. I knew some of the basic facts about the convicts ships and how minor the infractions could be that sent people to Australia. The backdrop to the character interactions was well plotted and made me think about the situation vs morals of a decision on multiple occasions. I highly recommend this hist fiction book

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Review: Killing Thyme

Killing Thyme by Leslie Budewitz
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is an enjoyable series that any foodie would love to read. The descriptions of the spices and recipes are enough to make anyone's mouth water. I enjoyed how this installment in the series was a means to provide backstory on Pepper, the MC. It revealed information about her childhood, her relationship with her family and her bff- Kristin. I enjoyed the diversity of characters this story introduced and the mystery that occurred was quite involved. It did a good job of having multiple layers to the mystery and suspects. The solution was a bit unexpected although I did begin to suspect the guilty party about 3/4 of the way through the story. I enjoy listening to this series on audio as that is the only way my library has many of them. The narrator has a good expressive voice that makes it enjoyable to listen to the book.

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Review: This Time Next Year

This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

enjoyable rom com

This cozy romance definitely leads the reader on the up and down story of Minnie. It successfully jumps between 2 pov and timeframes. I enjoy how Minnie finds herself while also examining her relationships with family and friends A feel good book with an emotional growth included

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Review: Lost and Fondue

Lost and Fondue by Avery Aames
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this cozy. The details about the cheese and wine are quite good. As are the descriptions of the play that is a side plot. The characters both positive and negatively received are well written. It’s easy to like the ones you should and easy to dislike the ones you are supposed to dislike. The mystery has complexity to it especially with regard to the motive. The personal aspects of Charlotte’s life makes for an interesting expansion to the plot and the details make sense instead of feeling like filler. I look forward to reading g more in the series

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Review: The Falcon's Feather

The Falcon's Feather by Trudi Trueit
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Enjoyable book that integrates science in a cool way. This should spark interest in a young reader interested in the world around them and in technology and what can be. The mystery and suspense keep the story going

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Review: Past Due for Murder

Past Due for Murder by Victoria Gilbert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book had a great amount of twists to keep it interesting without making it over the top. I really enjoyed the authenticity of the relationships of the characters especially Amy and Richard. I look forward to reading more of these works and the tributes they pay to the area within the Blue Ridge Mtns

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Review: Clobbered by Camembert

Clobbered by Camembert by Avery Aames
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Charlotte is up to her snooping again. This time the book had a chilly vibe both because it’s set in winter and bc there are plenty of people in Providence that are receiving g a chilling welcome. What does previous resident Kaitlyn Clydesdale want with her previous hometown and what does she know about Charlottes long dead mother. Before any of those questions can be answered there’s a murder in town. So besides yummy cheese and wine explanations the reader is treated to a murder investigation. So what happens when love is in the air and accusations fly. Read and find out

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Review: Obsession

Obsession by Stuart Woods
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoy the Teddy Fay novels more than the Stone Barrington ones. I believe it’s because they are more clever plot lines and spy focused. This make them more enjoyable for me than trying to read around all of Stones bed hopping ways. This book gives a glimpse into movie making a bit more than others and that’s a fun twist as well

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Review: Sniffing Out Murder

Sniffing Out Murder by Kallie E. Benjamin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

awesome new series

I enjoy all of Valerie Burns’ series. I think this might be my favorite. I enjoyed Bailey the Bloodhound and the Sub stories about him. Pris and her Aunt Agatha are amazing as are the dynamics with Prius’ bff, Marcie. The mystery is well thought out and the secondary crimes fit well in the main plot line. I look forward to reading more in this series

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Review: Lost and Fondue

Lost and Fondue by Avery Aames
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this cozy. The details about the cheese and wine are quite good. As are the descriptions of the play that is a side plot. The characters both positive and negatively received are well written. It’s easy to like the ones you should and easy to dislike the ones you are supposed to dislike. The mystery has complexity to it especially with regard to the motive. The personal aspects of Charlotte’s life makes for an interesting expansion to the plot and the details make sense instead of feeling like filler. I look forward to reading g more in the series

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Review: Aged for Death

Aged for Death by Fiona Grace
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This serious definitely has an appeal to romantics at heart. Who cannot help but admire Olivia’s decision to follow. A dream and her passion. Of course there’s a bit of extreme kismet following her choices. Most everything seems to fall in her lap. The conclusion of this mystery is a bit exaggerated in terms of how well it works out and the extremes of her actions. The construction of the mystery is good it’s just a bit unbelievable on how she leads the police to the solution. I do look forward to seeing how her new life continues to progress in Italy

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Review: All You Need is Fudge

All You Need is Fudge by Nancy CoCo
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A good cozy set on a landmark island in MI. I enjoy reading g about Mackinaw and the goings on in the small town that is even smaller bc it’s an island. Allie has a knack for finding bodies with Mal. The bunch in has a nose for it apparently. They get into trouble le snooping around. Good mystery with different redirects and guilty candidates. Fun personal storylines are mixed in that keep the books engaging

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Remarkably Bright Creatures

 

I read Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt for my book club in Jan.  I must say how refreshing it was to read a more hopeful novel after reading so many sad Oprah BC like books last year.    Marcellus is an amazing character and it is such a unique story.  The backstory of the author's impetus for writing her debut work is a story in and of itself, it was a college writing assignment to write a story from a unique perspective.  That assignment is the first chapter in this book.  I highly recommend this book if you like character-rich novels especially if you enjoy reading about people you don't always like.  This is a poignant book at times but overall it is very uplifting.  

 

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a very creative story with such an unusual narrator. I found the characters both endearing and annoying at different points in the story. The growth we witness in Cameron and the progression with moving forward Tova experiences makes for a great read. I am not usually a big character driven story person but I must say this book lived up to all the hype it has been getting on SM.

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Challenges I am using this book for:

Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge   Book #4

Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023  Book #5

TBR 24 in 24    Book #4

Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #4

What an Animal   Book #6

Literary Escapes WA

Alphabet Soup #AlphabetSoupChallenge  R

Alphabet Soup Author Edition #AlphabetSoupAuthorChallenge  V

52 Book Club  #the52bookclub2024  #

52 books in 52 bingo   #

Around the Year in 52 Books  #

Beat the Backlist  #BeatTheBacklist  #

Bookworm #

BooklistQueen  #booklistqueenchallenge24 #

Color Coded  #

Disney Movies   #

HP NEWTS   #

My Reading Journey Bingo  #

Nerdy Bookworm  #NerdyBookwormChallengeXO #

Nerd Daily #thenerddaily #nerdreading2024 #

PopSugar #popsugarreadingchallenge # 

Pick your Poison  #

Picture Bingo  #  

ProBook Nerds  #

RAD Challenge  #aradreadingchallenge #   

Read with Allison  #readwithallison2024  #  

Read Through History #

Read Your TBR shelf  #

Reporters Challenge  #

Robot Librarian #

What's in a Name  #wian2024  #

Monthly Criteria

Beyond the Bookends  #

Better World Books  #

Bookish Book Bingo  Jan  #

Chapter Book Bingo  Jan   #

Diversify your reading #DYRC24  #

Fairytale Retellings    #fairytaleretellingchallenge  #

Monthly Keyword #MonthlyKeyWordGXO  

Monthly Motif #MonthlyMotifGXO  

Read Your Bookshelf  

TBR Scavenger Hunt 

Uncorked Reader #UncorkedReading2024 

In Farm's Way

 In Farm's Way is the 3rd book in the Farm to Table series by Amanda Flower.  This series has a fun twist of having a business rivalry and romantic angst mixed with the mysteries.  The focus of this series is the attempt to save a family farm by a young woman who has returned home to help her father in MI after spending years in Hollywood. y She is attempting to convert the farm to an organic entity,  The focus of this book involves the exploration of supplying produce to the craft brewers pursuing organic and locally grown ingredients.  This book is the installment where a close friend becomes embroiled in the murder as a suspect.  The mystery is well structured and the sub-storyline involves personal drama due to small town history.  I look forward to seeing how this series progresses when the next book is released.   

In Farm's Way by Amanda Flower
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Another fun installment in the series. I’m on a streak of women farmers who are trying to save family farm with dad. I enjoy reading about the relationships and watching g them grow. I appreciated a previous mystery being resolved and how it created a new residual question to be answered in a future book. If you like storylines to be all completed this book might be frustrating for you. I look forward to the publication to see how the transformation to organic farming goes for Shiloh and Bellamy Farms

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Challenges I am using this book for:

Mount TBR   #MountTBR2023    Book #2

What an Animal   Book #3

Literary Escapes MI

Read Around the US  Jan- MI

Alphabet Soup #AlphabetSoupChallenge  I

Alphabet Soup Author Edition #AlphabetSoupAuthorChallenge F

Finishing the Series  #FinishingTheSeries2024    Series #2

Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal     Book #3

Craving for Cozies   #CravingCozies   Book #3

Cruisin thru Cozies    FC#2

CMRC   Book #

Six Shooter Challenge  Target #3   Shot# 5

Medical Examiner Challenge-   5 Tags

Marathon Challenge-   Mile#3

52 Book Club  #the52bookclub2024  #

52 books in 52 bingo   #

Around the Year in 52 Books  #

Beat the Backlist  #BeatTheBacklist  #

Bookworm #

BooklistQueen  #booklistqueenchallenge24 #

Color Coded  #

Disney Movies   #

HP NEWTS   #

My Reading Journey Bingo  #

Nerdy Bookworm  #NerdyBookwormChallengeXO #

Nerd Daily #thenerddaily #nerdreading2024 #

PopSugar #popsugarreadingchallenge # 

Pick your Poison  #

Picture Bingo  #  

ProBook Nerds  #

RAD Challenge  #aradreadingchallenge #   

Read with Allison  #readwithallison2024  #  

Read Through History #

Read Your TBR shelf  #

Reporters Challenge  #

Robot Librarian #

What's in a Name  #wian2024  #

Monthly Criteria

Beyond the Bookends  #

Better World Books  #

Bookish Book Bingo  Jan  #

Chapter Book Bingo  Jan   #

Diversify your reading #DYRC24  #

Fairytale Retellings    #fairytaleretellingchallenge  #

Monthly Keyword #MonthlyKeyWordGXO  

Monthly Motif #MonthlyMotifGXO  

Read Your Bookshelf  

TBR Scavenger Hunt 

Uncorked Reader #UncorkedReading2024 

Mint Chocolate Murder

 Mint Chocolate Murder is the 2nd book in the Meri Allen Ice Cream Shop series.  Last year I accidentally read the 3rd book before I read this one.  Fortunately, there aren't any real spoilers so you can read the books out of order.  There are some fun ice cream flavors mixed in with a locked room mystery.  The characters are well written and there are plenty of past secrets that are coming out as the mystery progresses.  If you are looking for a different take on a cozy mystery this one may be a good option especially if you love ice cream.  

Mint Chocolate Murder by Meri Allen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Enjoyed this second in the series. Undderly is becoming her new home and everything seems to be going well in fall until an unexpected death occurs at the Castle. As the investigation continues there are multiple crimes and secrets uncovered. Maude Vi and Adam all seem to be hiding something and Riley cannot figure out what’s the truth and whats relevant. Sprinkles the cat still remains a persnickety creature that is a prima Donna who provides comic relief. Looking forward to reading more about Penniman CT in future installments

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Challenges I am using this book for:

Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #1

Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023  Book #2

TBR 24 in 24   Book #2

Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #2

Audiobook  #2024AudiobookChallenge  Book #1

What an Animal   Book #2

Literary Escapes CT

Alphabet Soup #AlphabetSoupChallenge   M

Alphabet Soup Author Edition #AlphabetSoupAuthorChallenge A

Finishing the Series  #FinishingTheSeries2024    Series #1

Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal     Book #1

Craving for Cozies   #CravingCozies  Book #1

Cruisin thru Cozies  Culinary #1

CMRC    Book #

Six Shooter Challenge  Target#5  Shot#3

Medical Examiner Challenge-  1 Tags

Marathon Challenge-   Mile #1

52 Book Club  #the52bookclub2024 

52 books in 52 bingo  

Around the Year in 52 Books  

Beat the Backlist  #BeatTheBacklist  

Bookworm 

BooklistQueen  #booklistqueenchallenge24

Color Coded  

Disney Movies  

HP NEWTS   

My Reading Journey Bingo  

Nerdy Bookworm  #NerdyBookwormChallengeXO 

Nerd Daily #thenerddaily #nerdreading2024

PopSugar #popsugarreadingchallenge  

Pick your Poison  

Picture Bingo  

ProBook Nerds  

RAD Challenge  #aradreadingchallenge    

Read with Allison  #readwithallison2024    

Read Through History 

Read Your TBR shelf  

Reporters Challenge  

Robot Librarian 

What's in a Name  #wian2024  

Monthly Criteria

Beyond the Bookends  

Better World Books  

Bookish Book Bingo  Jan

Chapter Book Bingo  Jan 

Diversify your reading #DYRC24  

Fairytale Retellings    #fairytaleretellingchallenge  

Monthly Keyword #MonthlyKeyWordGXO  

Monthly Motif #MonthlyMotifGXO  

Read Your Bookshelf  

TBR Scavenger Hunt 

Uncorked Reader #UncorkedReading2024 

Town in a Blueberry Jam

I started a new series this year with the first book, Town in a Blueberry Jam by BB Haywood.  The Candy Holliday mysteries are about a young woman, Candy, who has returned home to ME to help her father run a blueberry farm.  There are bits of information about the processes involved in farming the fruit mixed in with the mystery.  The relationship between Candy and her father is probably an accurate depiction of how this situation would go given the reestablished cohabitation after years of independence.  I have several more installments in this series that I look forward to reading this year.   

Town in a Blueberry Jam by B.B. Haywood
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Enjoyable first in a series. Unique setting of a blueberry farm in ME but a similar plot to many cozies. Adult daughter moves home to help dad on farm. Candy and her dads friends make it an enjoyable read though with some definite characters among them. I look forward to reading more in the series and seeing how it progresses

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Challenges I am using this book for:

Mount TBR   #MountTBR2023    Book #1

TBR 24 in 24    Book #3

Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #3

Literary Escapes  ME

Alphabet Soup #AlphabetSoupChallenge  T

Alphabet Soup Author Edition #AlphabetSoupAuthorChallenge H

Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal     Book #2

Craving for Cozies   #CravingCozies   Book #2

Cruisin thru Cozies   FC#1

CMRC   Book #

Six Shooter Challenge  Target #54   Shot# 1

Medical Examiner Challenge-  3 Bodies

Marathon Challenge-   Mile #2

52 Book Club  #the52bookclub2024  #

52 books in 52 bingo   #

Around the Year in 52 Books  #

Beat the Backlist  #BeatTheBacklist  #

Bookworm #

BooklistQueen  #booklistqueenchallenge24 #

Color Coded  #

Disney Movies   #

HP NEWTS   #

My Reading Journey Bingo  #

Nerdy Bookworm  #NerdyBookwormChallengeXO #

Nerd Daily #thenerddaily #nerdreading2024 #

PopSugar #popsugarreadingchallenge # 

Pick your Poison  #

Picture Bingo  #  

ProBook Nerds  #

RAD Challenge  #aradreadingchallenge #   

Read with Allison  #readwithallison2024  #  

Read Through History #

Read Your TBR shelf  #

Reporters Challenge  #

Robot Librarian #

What's in a Name  #wian2024  #

Monthly Criteria

Beyond the Bookends  #

Better World Books  #

Bookish Book Bingo  Jan  #

Chapter Book Bingo  Jan   #

Diversify your reading #DYRC24  #

Fairytale Retellings    #fairytaleretellingchallenge  #

Monthly Keyword #MonthlyKeyWordGXO  

Monthly Motif #MonthlyMotifGXO  

Read Your Bookshelf  

TBR Scavenger Hunt 

Uncorked Reader #UncorkedReading2024 

Ashes to Ashes Crust to Crust

 Ashes to Ashes Crust to Crust is the next book in the Deep Dish mystery series by Mindy Quigley.  It is set in a fictional town in WI that is a vacation retreat for Chicago and Milwaukee modeled after Lake Geneva in my opinion.   There are delicious pizza recipes mixed into a competition filled with petty retribution-seeking characters.  We learn about the not-so-stellar past of Delilah's bff as well as some secrets Delilah's great aunt has been keeping.  All of these different storylines are mixed together quite well.  There are definitely humorous moments provided by the characters and the feline, Butterball.  Quigley creates a unique ending that is a creative solution to multiple problems presented in the story.  All in all, this is an enjoyable series to read and I eagerly await the next book. 

Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust by Mindy Quigley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this next book set in the fictions town of Geneva Bay WI. I like reading about areas I’m familiar with This book had plenty of red herrings and multiple mystery lines. I enjoyed how Quigley manages to intertwine the storylines. I also like how everything is not a happy ending due to the stubborn streak of the characters. Looking forward to more deep dish mysteries

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Challenges I am using this book for:

Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge   Book #2

Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023  Book #3

What an Animal   Book #4

Literary Escapes WI

Read Around the US  Jan- WI

Alphabet Soup #AlphabetSoupChallenge  

Alphabet Soup Author Edition #AlphabetSoupAuthorChallenge 

Clock Challenge 

Finishing the Series  #FinishingTheSeries2024    Series #3

Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal     Book #4

Craving for Cozies   #CravingCozies   Book #4

Cruisin thru Cozies   Culinary #2

CMRC   Book #

Six Shooter Challenge  Target #  94  Shot#  3

Medical Examiner Challenge-  4 Tags

Marathon Challenge-   Mile#4

52 Book Club  #the52bookclub2024  #

52 books in 52 bingo   #

Around the Year in 52 Books  #

Beat the Backlist  #BeatTheBacklist  #

Bookworm #

BooklistQueen  #booklistqueenchallenge24 #

Color Coded  #

Disney Movies   #

HP NEWTS   #

My Reading Journey Bingo  #

Nerdy Bookworm  #NerdyBookwormChallengeXO #

Nerd Daily #thenerddaily #nerdreading2024 #

PopSugar #popsugarreadingchallenge # 

Pick your Poison  #

Picture Bingo  #  

ProBook Nerds  #

RAD Challenge  #aradreadingchallenge #   

Read with Allison  #readwithallison2024  #  

Read Through History #

Read Your TBR shelf  #

Reporters Challenge  #

Robot Librarian #

What's in a Name  #wian2024  #

Monthly Criteria

Beyond the Bookends  #

Better World Books  #

Bookish Book Bingo  Jan  #

Chapter Book Bingo  Jan   #

Diversify your reading #DYRC24  #

Fairytale Retellings    #fairytaleretellingchallenge  #

Monthly Keyword #MonthlyKeyWordGXO  

Monthly Motif #MonthlyMotifGXO  

Read Your Bookshelf  

TBR Scavenger Hunt 

Uncorked Reader #UncorkedReading2024