Pink Lemonade Cake Murder

 I must agree with many of the online reviews that point out the weaknesses in this latest installment of the Hannah Swensen series.  After 29 books you'd expect the books to have some formulation to them but this one just felt forced.   There are many aspects of the story that feel as though they have just been dropped into the plot with no real reason.  Stella is introduced as though we should know who she is and I don't recall her in any previous stories.  Hannah and her sisters are still involved in solving mysteries and baking which is fine.  I do wish Hannah would just hurry up and decide to marry instead of just continuing to lead him along.  I am hoping this is the outcome of the twist at the end of the story and the introduction of Stella as a character.  Hopefully the next book won't be too trite and will provide a conclusion to the series.  

Pink Lemonade Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this latest Hannah Swenson novel. It felt a bit fresher than several of the more recent ones I only gave it 3 stars though because there were times the story line felt a bit erratic. The whole side plot of Mikes desire to retire was a bit odd at times. Stella is introduced into the story as though she’d been part of a previous story but I dont remember her. Also that plot line felt contrived at times. Almost like. Tv show where they are trying to write off a character and bring in new ones. The mystery is well constructed and there’s definitely a cliff hanger that makes readers anxious for the next Installment. Hopefully it wont be too long though since the teaser chapter is from a whole different series from this one

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Goodreads and Reading by the Numbers #ReadingByNumbers2023 Book #  106
2. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #  88 
3. Finishing the Series   #FinishingTheSeries2023  Series:18  Book #1
4. Stacking the Series  #stackingseries2023 29
5. Series Catchup #seriescatchup2023 3
6. What an Animal Book #40
7. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023   Book #97
8. Cruisin thru Cozies  Free choice #53
9. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #82
10. Craving for Cozies  Book #70
11. Medical Examiner Challenge 1 Toe Tags
12. PopSugar #popsugarreadingchallenge #32 A book that comes out in the second half of 2023
13. Diversify your reading #DYRC23  October: True Crime/Mystery
14. TBRChallenge  #TBRChallenge  October 18 - Danger Zone

Fatal Fudge Swirl

 Fatal Fudge Swirl is set in Penniman, CT, and is based around an ice cream shop.  This particular one is based upon a socialite wedding at Halloween.  Of course, there is a murder and a list of suspects a mile long.  Instead of focusing on ice cream making the crew of the shop ends up investigating the murder.  As a backdrop to the story, there is a movie being filmed that is loosely modeled on the Hallmark channel movies.  Lots of references to repeat appearances by actors and actresses and the rom-com-type approach to the stories depicted in the movies.   This aspect of the story involves Sprinkles in a major role allowing the outcast cat show feline to strut her stuff.  Allen captures the personality of a cat in a very lifelike manner in this book.   I realized as I was reading this book I had forgotten to read book 2 in the series so I am going back and catching up on that one now.  I can say there isn't much in the way of spoilers in this book so if a reader wanted to have a seasonal read they can jump in with this book.  

Fatal Fudge Swirl by Meri Allen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A fine book that will appeal especially to Halloween and fall lovers. The ice cream flavors will make your mouth water if you’re not careful. The mystery is quite well laid out and not super obvious. I like how there is some historic significance included in the book since it is set in Connecticut. Looking forward to reading more in the series.

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Goodreads and Reading by the Numbers #ReadingByNumbers2023 Book #  105
2. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #  87 
3. Finishing the Series   #FinishingTheSeries2023  Series:17  Book #1
4. Stacking the Series  #stackingseries2023 3
5. Series Catchup #seriescatchup2023 3
6. What an Animal Book #39
7. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023   Book #96
8. Cruisin thru Cozies  Free choice #52
9. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #81
10. Craving for Cozies  Book #69
11. Medical Examiner Challenge  3 Toe Tags
12. Diversify your reading #DYRC23  October: True Crime/Mystery
13. Monthly Motif #MonthlyMotifGXO  OCTOBER- Spellbinding or Spooktacular
14. TBRChallenge  #TBRChallenge  October 18 - Danger Zone

Meddling and Murder

 Meddling and Murder is the 4th Aunty Lee book by Ovidia Yu.  This installment felt a little different from the others in the series.   For some reason it just felt a bit forced and as though the characters were not in sync with their usual rhythms.   I also discovered after reading it that there don't seem to be any more books in this series so I don't know if the author abandoned this series for her other colonial Singapore-based series.  I am interested in trying that series to see how I like it since I do enjoy reading about Singapore and its culture.   Hopefully, there will be more written about Aunty Lee in the future to see what happens with the characters.  

Meddling and Murder by Ovidia Yu
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I enjoy this series very much. Aunty Lee is quite a character and her relationships with Nina, her stepson and her friends are quite amusing at times. She makes new friends in this book as she looks to expand her independence during this story. I didn’t give this a higher rating because I felt this story didn’t flow as smoothly as the previous books. I think it was because the stairs kept changing focus of characters and the sub plots. The mystery was wrapped up at the end but still felt like a bit of the details could be expanded upon more thoroughly. I do hope the series continues so readers see how Nina’s story progresses

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Goodreads and Reading by the Numbers #ReadingByNumbers2023 Book #  104
2. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book # 86  
3. Alphabet Soup Author Edition #AlphabetSoupAuthorChallenge   Y
4. Finishing the Series   #FinishingTheSeries2023  Series: 16  Book #1
5. Stacking the Series  #stackingseries2023 4
6. Series Catchup #seriescatchup2023 5
7. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023   Book #95
8. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #72
9. Cruisin thru Cozies  Free choice #51
10. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #80
11. Craving for Cozies  Book #68
12. Six Shooter Challenge  Target #94  Shot #4
13. Medical Examiner Challenge  2 Toe Tags
14. 52 Book Club  #the52bookclub2023  #39 The Final Book in a Series
15. Book Voyage  #bookvoyagechallenge  July: Books Set in Southern Asia
16. Diversify your reading #DYRC23  October: True Crime/Mystery
17. TBRChallenge  #TBRChallenge  October 18 - Danger Zone

The Plot and the Pendulum

 

The Plot and the Pendulum is the 13th installment in Jenn McKinlay's  Library Lovers mystery series.  It has been fun to watch the characters and their relationships grow with the series.   It is like visiting old friends when reading it.   I appreciate that there are fresh storylines and they don't all feel like a formulaic read.   

This particular book has some atmospheric vibes as it is set around Halloween and there is the question of whether the house they are visiting is haunted.   This book felt very much like an adult version of a Nancy Drew book;  that is not an insult in my opinion.

I hope to keep reading about Lindsay and Sully for a good while.  

The Plot and the Pendulum by Jenn McKinlay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Enjoyable read with some spooky seasonal elements. This is a case of an old mystery being solved today. There are quite a few twists and turns and attempts to cast suspicion on others. I enjoy reading about the daily activities as well as the mystery solving aspects in these books


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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Goodreads and Reading by the Numbers #ReadingByNumbers2023 Book #  
2. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #  76 
3. Literary Escapes  #LiteraryEscapes  CT
4. Finishing the Series   #FinishingTheSeries2023  Series: 13  Book #1
5. Stacking the Series  #stackingseries2023 13
6. Series Catchup #seriescatchup2023 3
7. What an Animal Book #34
8. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023   Book #85
9. Cruisin thru Cozies  Free choice #42
10. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #70
11. Craving for Cozies  Book #59
12. Six Shooter Challenge  Target # 69 Shot #3
13. Medical Examiner Challenge  1 Toe Tags
14. Read Your Bookshelf   August: A book that is the same genre as your July book.

Hook, Line and Sinker

 Hook, Line and Sinker is the 3rd Lake of the Ozarks book by Marc Jedel.   I enjoy the aspect of this book that there are 2 narrators who are husband and wife.   It makes for an interesting perspective on the storyline.   This book has an interesting mystery related to the background of 

Hook, Line and Sinker by Marc Jedel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

enjoyable cozy from 2 pov

I like how Marc Jewel writes the series from both the husband and wife’s perspective. It’s also nice to not have the simmering sexual tension hanging over the main character like it is in so many books The mystery is interesting if not a bit loose on its solution. I do enjoy the series

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Goodreads and Reading by the Numbers #ReadingByNumbers2023 Book #  90
2. Literary Escapes  #LiteraryEscapes  AR 
3. AtoZ   #2023AtoZReadingChallenge  #AlphabetSoupChallenge   H
4. Finishing the Series   #FinishingTheSeries2023  Series: 12  Book #1
5. Stacking the Series  #stackingseries2023 3
6. Series Catchup #seriescatchup2023 3
7. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023   Book #82
8. Cruisin thru Cozies  Free choice #40
9. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #68
10. Craving for Cozies  Book #57
11. Six Shooter Challenge  Target #53  Shot #3
12. Medical Examiner Challenge  1 Toe Tags
13. 52 Book Club  #the52bookclub2023  #4 Title starting with letter "H"
14. Read Around the US   Jul Arkansas

Near Miss

 In the 64th Stone Barrington novel I am not sure why I would expect it to be anything different from the others but I guess I was hoping the new co-author would make it feel a bit fresh and different.  In this book, Stone finds himself in the crosshairs of some nasty people yet again.  And surprise, he finds his way to having multiple bedmates during the story.  His recurring relationship with Holly Barker made an appearance but I am not really sure why it had any relevance to the story at all.  At least the 2nd female acquaintance set the stage for why someone was after him.  His last companion is at least a strong female character and maybe a spinoff series candidate for sure.  I am not sure why I would expect Stone to be anything other than the lothario he has been for 63 other books and I bet I'm a sucker who will check out his next adventure from my library when it is published.   Hard habit to break 

Near Miss by Stuart Woods
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

While entertaining these books are definitely formulaic. Not sure when I will give up my determination to read them :). It’s more Stone bedroom antics albeit with less detailed description and less bed hopping. Only 3 ladies this book. It is once again his roving eye and charm that gets him muddled up with people who want him dead that’s for sure. Body count racked up in this book for sure. Lots of old friends appear in this book so maybe we will be seeing more of them in future books
If looking for a distraction read similar to a mission impossible movie then you will enjoy this book

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Goodreads and Reading by the Numbers #ReadingByNumbers2023 Book #  86
2. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #   70
3. Finishing the Series   #FinishingTheSeries2023  Series: 1 Book #2
4. Stacking the Series  #stackingseries2023 64
5. Series Catchup #seriescatchup2023 3
6. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023   Book #78
7. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #64
8. Six Shooter Challenge  Target # 93b  Shot #1
9. Medical Examiner Challenge 10 Toe Tags

A Souffle of Suspicion

 A Souffle of Suspicion is the 2nd book in the French Bistro series by Daryl Wood Gerber.   It is set in Napa with Mimi Rousseau as the main character.   She is the young woman who owns a bistro as well as the Inn next door.   The 2 businesses keep her busy enough prior to the inn playing host to a Sweets Festival.  The addition of a dead body into the picture just further complicates the matter.  The subsequent investigation into the death leads Mimi to question the motives and alibis of many local residents.  The mystery is well-structured and the crime ends up being resolved in a manner that makes sense and believable.  Unfortunately, I do not think this series will be continued as there hasn't been another published in this series since this one in 2018.   This is too bad as there are definitely some cliffhangers in the storyline regarding the personal lives of the characters.  Hopefully, the author returns to this series after focusing on other series she is currently writing.  

 

A Soufflé of Suspicion by Daryl Wood Gerber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Enjoyable read set on the Napa Valley area. Foodies will love the delicious meals described and the recipes included on the book. The mystery is well written with Mimi going back and forth on suspecting the different possible guilty parties. Her reasons and queries are laid out in a way the reader can readily follow. Not sure if there will be more in the series but I hope so

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Goodreads and Reading by the Numbers #ReadingByNumbers2023 Book #  82
2. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #   66
3. Finishing the Series   #FinishingTheSeries2023  Series:11  Book #1
4. Stacking the Series  #stackingseries2023 2
5. Series Catchup #seriescatchup2023 = 3
6. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023   Book #74
7. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #59
8. Cruisin thru Cozies  Free choice #36
9. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #61
10. Craving for Cozies  Book #53
11. Six Shooter Challenge  Target # 44 Shot #6
12. Medical Examiner Challenge 1 Toe Tags
13. HP Quidditch 23 #16 Beater: Includes a competition

A Murder Like No Author

 A Murder Like No Author is the 3rd book in the Main Street Book Club series by Amy Lillard.  This is a cozy series with intriguing characters full of Southern charm.   The mystery is constructed well and it is easy to see how the investigation by the book club members is exasperating to Arlo.   The character development has grown through the different books in the series.   My only reason this isn't a 4 star read is the frivolity of the romance triangle is a bit over-dramatic at times.  Also, it seems like Arlo would have been more concerned with the outcome of the date at the premier than the story ended up representing.  I am not sure if the series continues as this book was published in 2021 and there is no indication that there is another installment in the works.  

A Murder Like No Author by Amy Lillard
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book is enjoyable and the mystery is well developed. I like the quirky characters but the love triangle aspect is getting a bit drawn out over the books. Also after making a big deal of a date we never find out how it went due to the action of the murder solution so this left me hanging and frustrated. Overall a charming series set in MS

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Goodreads and Reading by the Numbers #ReadingByNumbers2023 Book #  73
2. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #  61 
3. Literary Escapes  #LiteraryEscapes  MS 
4. Finishing the Series   #FinishingTheSeries2023  Series: 10 Book #1
5. Stacking the Series  #stackingseries2023 3
6. Series Catchup #seriescatchup2023 3
7. What an Animal Book #25
8. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023   Book #66
9. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #54
10. Cruisin thru Cozies  Free choice #32
11. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #55
12. Craving for Cozies  Book #48
13. Six Shooter Challenge  Target # 62 Shot #3
14. Medical Examiner Challenge 1 Toe Tags

Christmas Candy Corpse

 Food Network meets Hallmark Movies and Mysteries is what the Courtney Archer series feels like.   The 3rd book by Rosemarie Ross, Christmas Candy Corpse, is once again centered around a baking contest.  Crazy that yet another murder occurs on the set at the resort in the Poconos.  But once again murder happens and a member of the cast is at the center of the suspicion.  Shannon's strange and erratic behavior does not help the believability of her innocence proclamation.  Courtney is determined to stand by her friend and prove she isn't guilty.  Once again the set is a scary and dangerous place and Erik, her manager/new boyfriend, wants her to be more cautious.  Unfortunately,  Courtney's nature leads her to ask questions that hopefully will not upset the killer and make her a target.   This book is well written and the ending is quite a surprise.  I did figure out some of the sub-mysteries in the plot but I was caught off guard by the guilty party.  I wonder if they will continue to produce this series or if a spin-off type setting will occur.  I do hope they continue as I enjoy the mix of the cooking/baking show and the mystery.  

Christmas Candy Corpse by Rosemarie Ross
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Enjoyable cozy with plenty of suspicious behavior leading to many potential suspects. This series is like Food Network meets Murder She wrote. Courtney Archer keeps finding herself embroiled in murders. Her inquisitive nature gets her on the radar of the killers and danger ensues. Unfortunately she just can’t seem to help herself and focus on filming her cooking shows. Lucky for us readers or we wouldn’t get more books

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Goodreads and Reading by the Numbers #ReadingByNumbers2023 Book #  63
2. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #   51
3. Literary Escapes  #LiteraryEscapes  GA 
4. Finishing the Series   #FinishingTheSeries2023  Series:9  Book #1
5. Stacking the Series  #stackingseries2023 3
6. Series Catchup #seriescatchup2023 3
7. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023   Book #56
8. Cruisin thru Cozies  Free choice #27
9. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #49
10. Craving for Cozies  Book #43
11. Medical Examiner Challenge 2 Toe Tags
12. Pick your Poison  #59   A book set in winter
13. Beyond the Bookends  May Detective

Put Out to Pasture

 Put Out to Pasture is the 2nd Farm to Table book by Amanda Flower.  This series focuses on Shiloh Bellamy and her attempts to turn her family farm around and create an organic farm in North Western Michigan.  There is a big mix of characters and personalities in this book.  There is no shortage of missed suspicions by Shiloh as well. I appreciated the details of the logic Shiloh uses while trying to solve the murder that her BFF is accused of committing.  

I listened to this as an audiobook and realized the narrator is the same as the narrator for Murder at the Lobstah Shack.  It was most noticeable when she is voicing the juvenile characters.  She definitely makes those voices stand out from the adult voices.  Both books have young girls who play key roles in the stories.   I will be on the lookout for more books narrated by Rachel Dulude.  

Put Out to Pasture by Amanda Flower
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoy reading the books about Shiloh Bellamy and her challenges in turning her family farm into a profitable organic farm in Upper Michigan. Having now been to Travers City last summer the book rang and even better familiarity for me. I enjoy the range of characters and appreciate that not every relationship is a good positive one. Shiloh has a diverse group of supporting characters in the story which adds a level of interest. The mystery was clever and had plenty of times when Shiloh was sent off on a diversion of suspicion. The series is engaging and I am invested in seeing how Shiloh does with turning the farm around.

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Goodreads and Reading by the Numbers #ReadingByNumbers2023 Book #  
2. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #   46
3. Audiobook  #2023AudiobookChallenge #10
4. Literary Escapes  #LiteraryEscapes  MI
5. Finishing the Series   #FinishingTheSeries2023  
6. Stacking the Series  #stackingseries2023 2
7. Series Catchup #seriescatchup2023 +1
8. What an Animal Book #18
9. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023   Book #51
10. Cruisin thru Cozies  Free choice #24
11. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #44
12. Craving for Cozies  Book #39
13. Six Shooter Challenge  Target #3  Shot #3
14. Medical Examiner Challenge 6 Toe Tags
15. Sci and Nature # 22 Set on a Farm
16. Beyond the Bookends  May-  a detective story

Murder at the Lobstah Shack

 Murder at the Lobstah Shack is the 3rd installment of the Cozy Capers Book Group mysteries by Maddie Day.  This series is set in the Cape Cod area and centers around Mackenzie Almeida and her bike shop.  The book shows how Mack balances amateur crime-solving with running her own bicycle shop complete with repairs and rentals.  The tourist season might be winding down for the fall, but her shop is still hopping when she finds herself trying to help her friend and fellow business owner out when a body is found in Tulia's walk-in cooler.  Needless to say business at the Lobstah Shack is impacted when the rumors fly.  The mystery has quite an interesting twist to it and an ending that was a bit of a surprise.  All in all I enjoyed the book.  

I have been listening to more audiobooks this year as many of the older cozy mysteries are only available at my library as audiobooks.  The narrator, Rachel Dulude, does a great job at voicing New England accents.  She also does a fun voice for Mack's macaw, Belle.  It was an enjoyable experience to listen to this audiobook.  

Murder at the Lobstah Shack by Maddie Day
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Always an enjoyable read involving Mackenzie. I appreciate the perspective the stories bring to treating homeless and disadvantaged people as equal members of society rather than always looking disparagingly at them. I also liked how the characters also addressed the whole do gooder/ knowing better tendency some people can have even if unintentionally. These perspectives are well blended with the story so as to not come off as preaching but rather just dialogue and observations of the characters. I listened to this and always enjoy the narrator’s representation of Mack’s niece and the New England accents. A fun read

View all my reviews

 

Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Goodreads and Reading by the Numbers #ReadingByNumbers2023 Book #  
2. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #   45
3. Audiobook  #2023AudiobookChallenge #9
4. Finishing the Series   #FinishingTheSeries2023  
5. Stacking the Series  #stackingseries2023 3
6. Series Catchup #seriescatchup2023 +1
7. What an Animal Book #17
8. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023   Book #50
9. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #43
10. Cruisin thru Cozies  Free choice #23
11. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #43
12. Craving for Cozies  Book #38
13. Six Shooter Challenge  Target #34  Shot #2
14. Medical Examiner Challenge  1 Toe Tags
15. Pick your Poison  # 62 A book with an animal on the cover that is not about that animal

Criminally Cocoa

 Criminally Cocoa is a fun novella in the Amish Candy Shop series.   Amanda Flower set it in NYC rather than the usual OH Amish country.  In this book Charlotte, Bailey and Cass find themselves in NY filming a tv show starring Bailey.  This book has a more innocent feel to it as the narrator is Charlotte.  This perspective allows Flower to explain much of the Amish point of view as well as many of the concepts of Rumspringa.  This makes for a change of pace from the usual Englisch frame of reference the reader gets when Bailey is narrating.  While the story is more innocent it is fun to see the city from the perspective of Charlotte who has lived her whole life in rural Ohio.  Never fear though there is still a mystery to be solved and the antics of Jethro are still alive and well.  A fun interlude in the series.  I read this book out of order and it did not impact the plot of the next book in the series.  I read and reviewed Toxic Toffee in 2020.  

This book in addition to being the 2nd book with the word Cocoa in it while being read at Easter time met the challenge prompts to find a book with a Rabbit on it and a mini challenge for April by 52 Book Club.  This latter is the prompt to have an egg on the cover.   

 

Criminally Cocoa by Amanda Flower
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

a fun novella in the Amish Candy Shop series. I really enjoyed reading a story from Charlotte's perspective and learning more about the Amish experience of Rumspringa. I found it especially fun to see Charlotte's take on NYC as I lived there when I was about her age but I had seen more of the world than she has.

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Goodreads and Reading by the Numbers #ReadingByNumbers2023 Book #   
2. Finishing the Series   #FinishingTheSeries2023 Yes the Amish Candy series.  
3. Stacking the Series  #stackingseries2023 3.5
4. Series Catchup #seriescatchup2023 1
5. What an Animal Book #14
6. Mount TBR   #MountTBR2023  Book # 7
7. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #38
8. Cruisin thru Cozies  Free choice #20
9. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #39
10. Craving for Cozies  Book #35
11. Six Shooter Challenge  Target #102  Shot #1
12. Medical Examiner Challenge  Toe Tags
13. 23 in 2023 # 12 A book with a rabbit on the cover or in the title
14. Beat the Backlist #BTB2023  #10 bought and forgot it
15. Nerd Daily #thenerddaily #nerdreading2023 #10. A COMING-OF-AGE STORY
16. PopSugar #popsugarreadingchallenge # A book with a rabbit on the cover
17. Pick your Poison  # 132 A book you can read in a day

Death Over Easy

 I really have found myself enjoying the Country Store series by Maddie Day.   The main character, Robbie, is a hard-working businesswoman and this is demonstrated in the story lines.  Death Over Easy is the 5th book and is set amidst a Bluegrass Festival being hosted in Southern Indiana.   I have family from IN and now several of my son's friends attend IU in Bloomington so I can relate to many of the locations mentioned in the story.   As I have mentioned previously I appreciate books more when I have the connections.

The mystery is quite involved and actually contains 2 victims in this book.  I liked the structure and felt it was laid out well.  My only complaint was the abruptness with which the story ended.  It felt almost like an, "have reached my page limit better finish"   The mystery was wrapped up it was just a bit rushed.  Didn't bother me enough to stop reading the series but I do hope it's an anomaly.   

Death Over Easy by Maddie Day
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

music festival and murder

Robbie Jordan finds herself mixed up in another murder investigation. This one happens while trying to enjoy a bluegrass festival and a visit with her Italian father. There are lots of individuals suspected by the police among her B&B guests, friends, and family. All in all I enjoyed the book although I did find the resolution to be a bit abrupt. It almost felt like someone asaid you have to finish in the next 10 pages no matter how rushed it felt. I still enjoyed the story I just left feeling a bit disappointed

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Goodreads and Reading by the Numbers #ReadingByNumbers2023 Book # 42 
2. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book # 35  
3. Literary Escapes  #LiteraryEscapes  IN 
4. Finishing the Series   #FinishingTheSeries2023  
5. Stacking the Series  #stackingseries2023 5
6. Series Catchup #seriescatchup2023 1
7. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023   Book #37
8. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #31
9. Cruisin thru Cozies  Free choice #15
10. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #33
11. Craving for Cozies  Book #29
12. Six Shooter Challenge  Target #34  Shot #1
13. Medical Examiner Challenge 2 Toe Tags
14. Bookworm #60 free space
15. Nerdy Bookworm  #NerdyBookwormChallengeXO #50 Free space
16. Pick your Poison  # 47 A book with luggage on the front cover
17. Beyond the Bookends  Mar About Music or Musician

Bread Over Troubled Water

 This 8th installment of the Bread Shop mysteries by Winnie Archer evoked images of a nice early summer day in a coastal Ca town.  I welcomed this imagery as I was struggling through the glum March days in Chicagoland.  Bread Over Troubled Water is a fun read where the reader learns more about Ivy and her friends.  Particular detail regarding Olaya's family is at the center of this book.  The mystery is well constructed and it is hard not to find your mouth watering, whether it is from the bread shop delicacy descriptions or the yummy offerings at Miguel's family restaurant.  Archer does a wonderful job of making the reader feel like a member of the extended family.  I cannot wait to read more about Ivy and Miguel's upcoming nuptials.  

Bread Over Troubled Water by Winnie Archer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The magic of the bakery is always engaging and brings a warmth to me when I read this series. This latest adventure finds Ivy trying to clear the name of Marina. As Okaya sister, she is like family to Ivy. The story of Josh’s life is full of lies and deception and it would be easy to have just ignored his death as an unlikeable man. But Ivy is determined to figure out who is guilty among the plenty of suspects. The mystery is well constructed and carb lovers will find themselves craving bread. I especially enjoy the way cultural traditions are incorporated in the story.

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Goodreads and Reading by the Numbers #ReadingByNumbers2023 Book #41  
2. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book # 34  
3. Finishing the Series   #FinishingTheSeries2023  Series:8 Book #1
4. Stacking the Series  #stackingseries2023 8
5. Series Catchup #seriescatchup2023 3
6. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023   Book #36
7. Cruisin thru Cozies  Free choice #14
8. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #32
9. Craving for Cozies  Book #28
10. Six Shooter Challenge  Target # 5 Shot #5
11. Medical Examiner Challenge 1 Toe Tags
12. Around the Year in 52 Books #46. A title that contains a word often found in a recipe
13. HP Quidditch 23 # 20 Applebee Arrows: Related to archery
14. Pick your Poison  # 23 Any book from a series

A Pizza to Die For

 The 3rd book in the Pizza Lovers Mysteries by Chris Cavender,  A Pizza to Die For, is a great next installment in the series.   I really enjoy the sisters, Eleanor and Maddie, and the situations they find themselves in frequently.   Although the author is male, he does a wonderful job of creating great female lead characters.  The plot lines are each unique and the pizza preparation will make your mouth water when you read these books.  

A Pizza To Die For by Chris Cavender
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This 3rd volume in the Pizza Lovers books was a welcome continuation in the series. I enjoyed reading about Eleanor's foray into deep-dish pizza making. I enjoy watching her relationship with her sister, Maddie, and her loyal employees. The business competition opening in the town was a large distraction so the murder of the manager before the grand opening pointed the guilty finger at Eleanor and Maddie. Their investigation and the ensuing interactions were intriguing and engaging. Mouth-watering pizza and great relationships are at the heart of this series. They make this series work along with the well-written mystery.

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Goodreads and Reading by the Numbers #ReadingByNumbers2023 Book #  29
2. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #  23 
3. Literary Escapes  #LiteraryEscapes  NC
4. Finishing the Series   #FinishingTheSeries2023  Series: 7 Book #1
5. Stacking the Series  #stackingseries2023 2
6. Series Catchup #seriescatchup2023 +1
7. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023   Book #28
8. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #23
9. Cruisin thru Cozies  Free choice #8
10. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #24
11. Craving for Cozies  Book #21
12. Six Shooter Challenge  Target # 21 Shot #2
13. Medical Examiner Challenge  2 Toe Tags hit
14. Around the Year in 52 Books #5. A book with 4 or more colors on the cover
15. Beat the Backlist #BTB2023  #6  an author writing under a pseudonym
16. Cozy Mysteries   #15 Serves food you'd like to eat
17. HP Quidditch 23 #50 Dionysus Dive: Contains a character with a vice
18. Pick your Poison  # 2 A mystery
19. Read with Allison #22 Illustrated Cover

Calypso, Corpses and Cooking

 I was so excited to read this second Caribbean Kitchen Mystery by Raquel Reyes.  Calypso, Corpses, and Cooking did not disappoint.   I really appreciate Reyes' method of incorporating bilingual characters in her storylines.  I cannot help but envision what a cute family they are and to feel the frustrations Mia has been dealing with her very bigoted MIL.  Mia's adjustments to returning to her hometown but under a different economic and cultural environment than her childhood makes for interesting reading and adds a bit deeper thought than many cozy mysteries bring.   Anyone who loves delicious food, especially Latin selections, will find their mouth watering while reading this story.    I learned about some new dishes that I am anxious to find and sample.  The mystery itself is well done and has plenty of twists and turns leading to an unexpected resolution. 

Calypso, Corpses, and Cooking by Raquel V. Reyes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

cozy mystery with a Latin flair

I really like this series a lot. I love how Reyes seamlessly blends the use of Spanish into the storyline with a logically included translation. The food descriptions will make your mouth water for anyone who likes flavorful food The mystery is well constructed with an ongoing nefarious scheme underlying the story so it is best to read the series in order.

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Goodreads and Reading by the Numbers #ReadingByNumbers2023 Book #  29
2. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #  23 
3. Finishing the Series   #FinishingTheSeries2023  Series: 7 Book #1
4. Stacking the Series  #stackingseries2023 2
5. Series Catchup #seriescatchup2023 +3
6. What an Animal Book #7
7. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023   Book #25
8. Cruisin thru Cozies Holiday #2
9. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #21
10. Craving for Cozies  Book #18
11. Medical Examiner Challenge 4 Toe Tags
12. Around the Year in 52 Books #    37. A book with the theme of returning home
13. HP Quidditch 23 #43 Cedric Diggory: Includes vampires
14. Nerdy Bookworm  #NerdyBookwormChallengeXO #42. set at a carnival or circus
15. Nerd Daily #thenerddaily #nerdreading2023 #47. A HOLIDAY THAT ISN'T CHRISTMAS
16. Pick your Poison  # 39 A book with a four word title
17. PopSugar #popsugarreadingchallenge #47 A book about a holiday that's not Christmas
18. Read with Allison #51 Holiday Scene on Cover
19. Sci and Nature # 17 Native Word in the Title
20. Unruly Reader Bingo  # 9 World Languages