Title Surfing with Traci

Thursday, August 28, 2025

Review: Twelve Slays of Christmas

Twelve Slays of Christmas by Jacqueline Frost
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this first book in a new to me series. Holly and her family tree farm are a wholesome storyline. Unfortunately Christmas season is not going as planned and someone seems determined to ruin Holly’s homecoming. If you are looking for a charming small town holiday vibe this is a perfect book for you. The mystery is well structured and reveals a well thought out plot. The characters are engaging as nd I look forward to reading more about them in future installments

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Review: A Deck Stacked for Murder: A Coffee-Fueled Cozy Mystery with a Mystical Twist

A Deck Stacked for Murder: A Coffee-Fueled Cozy Mystery with a Mystical Twist by Aliza Levine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this debut in the series. I appreciate that Ava is not the perfect friendly MC. She definitely has flaws and insecurities. The inclusion of tarot cards in the series makes a unique focus. I have read one other series that has tarot as a plot component ( Key West Food Critic) but it is more peripheral. I found it interesting to learn more about the Tarot cards and the reading of them. I look forward to reading more of the series and seeing how Ava settles into living in a small town.

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Review: Murder, She Wrote: Snowy with a Chance of Murder

Murder, She Wrote: Snowy with a Chance of Murder by Jessica Fletcher
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This installment in the series is full of local characters in Cabot Cove vs being set elsewhere. There are several mysteries built into the story which keeps it interesting. I could tell it was a new author as this book found Hessica recapping clues and suspicions. It didn’t fit with her normal technique. Additionally this book felt as though it was trying to send messages and virtue signal. I read cozy mysteries to get lost in the stories and mysteries I don’t need to be lectured on how to think about current events. Hopefully this does not become the trend in this series.

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Review: Murder on Tour

Murder on Tour by V.M. Burns
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

great multi story cozy

This book/series is a fun twist on the cozy format. The book contains a book within itself. So the reader gets 2 mysteries in one. Nona Jo and her friends add such a lighthearted ensemble cast. This book gives a deep look into the world of authors and book conventions. Not to mention it’s full of back stabbing revengeful plot twists.

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